I Watch Films: The Cave (2024)
The Cave (2024)
In 18th century Broadstairs* pregnant Agnes is spurned by her lover Fortington. In despair she finds herself in a graveyard at night where she is attacked by a mysterious figure.
In a boat are three smugglers; one has been wounded due to a run in with the revenue men. He warns the youngest smuggler that following the leader, Joss Snelling** will lead him to his death. Snelling retorts by killing him.
On shore the two remaining smugglers wait, night falling. Questions, Snelling tells tales of his career as a smuggler, how corrupt the authorities are, how strange the world is. Going into a cave in the cliffs*** Joss realises his companion is missing. Within he encounters bones**** and then, a strangely metamorphosised Agnes, the two storylines finally meeting.
This is a short, local horror film, taking in local history, folklore, locations, and aspects of folk horror. At the heart is the unrepentant Joss Snelling, making his living as a smuggler in good times and bad, about to discover that the strange world he lives in is even stranger. Entertaining and atmospheric film with enormous amounts of the seaside atmosphere.
Watch This: If you can; I attended the premiere in the
Palace Cinema Broadstairs the only showing to date
Don’t Watch This: Because it is not available anywhere
Full Disclosure: A friend of mine was involved in research,
production and other crew work on the film
You Can Find The Trailer: At this link
* Real, a seaside town in East Kent (England)
** Real, leader of the infamous Callis Court smuggling gang in the 18th century
*** Real! It’s at Botany Bay
**** Apparently fibreglass copies
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