Written and directed by Jack Cooper Stimpson, Athel and Edward enjoy visiting the wetlands. Edward likes watching the birds, whilst Athel seems to have a much deeper connection to the landscape. When Athel makes a discovery, she is forced to re-examine what the wetlands mean to her. Starring: Hannah Chinn, Jordan Peters, Rakhee Thakrar, Sam Thorpe-Spinks and Mark Rylance.
Atmosphere is always going to be an important factor of any film and to create something impactful and affective, and Jack Cooper Stimpson achieves that quite quickly with Spirit of Place. It’s interestingly the leading factor with this short, it’s all about that contemplative feeling. Stimpson puts how we connect with and exist within nature at the forefront, as well as how we can distance ourselves from it and need to fix that bond.
That choice comes with its ups and downs, the tone and flow of Spirit of Place are lovely, but it also takes its time more than it needed to, becoming slightly meandering. The interactions are filled with kindness and a pensive quality but there’s not a lot of them. So, while it creates a wonderful impression and environment, it’s holding itself back a little.
However, something that does boost those qualities even further is the direction and cinematography (by Pip White). The aesthetic perfectly captures those themes of nature, environmentalism and conservation. It’s filled with colours and sounds that are absolutely organic, gentle and peaceful.
The way that Stimpson’s direction holds itself, the confidence of it is compelling. Not surprising, given that this is not Stimpson’s first rodeo. Having made several shorts over the past few years, including another this year with More Flames starring Phoebe Dynevor, Amar Chadha-Patel, and the voice of Bella Ramsey.
It’s again boosted by the performances, Hannah Chinn takes the lead to create a character in need of some clarity. She’s extremely relatable, has a subtle charm and when paired with Jordan Peters, the two have a great chemistry and feel utterly British. There’s a certain calmness yet friendliness to their performances which are extremely accessible.
You then have two key supporting performances from Rakhee Thakrar, who has a really nice delivery to her story. There’s a lot of emotion and nostalgia within the way she tells her anecdote that’s surprisingly touching. Whereas of no surprise to anyone is how Spirit of Place is then elevated by Mark Rylance. An actor that has almost an unparalleled depth, the presence that he brings is comforting, curious and captivating. The moment that he shares with Hannah Chinn’s Athel could be the entire short film on its own, it’s excellent.
Spirit of Place is an affecting, well shot and compassionate exploration of our connection to nature. It’s highly contemplative, very British and unexpectedly soothing. It may move a little slowly and not add a great deal of plot for its twenty plus minutes but it builds a warmth and depth that are really enjoyable to watch. There’s a great cast at work and any appearance from Mark Rylance is always one not to be missed and he brings that usual charm and complexity yet again.
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