Cannes 2013: For Those In Peril Review

rating:4

It is an unfortunate part of the Cannes film festival that some gems of cinema end up lost to many because they are selected in the sidebars, rather than the main selections. Logistical problems abound with the Director's and Critic's selections - not least that they tend to fall at the same time as Competition screenings, or that they generally play in smaller, vastly over-subscribed venues - and so many are forced to admit defeat and not see the films in question. That goes doubly for the films when they are as good as For Those In Peril, the feature debut from Scotland's Paul Wright. It is a stark and grim film, shot in the wonderfully atmospheric coastal village of Gourdon in Aberdeenshire, but it is a wholly gripping, and at times utterly devastating portrayal of post-trauma and grief. The film follows Aaron (George MacKay,) the sole survivor of a fishing boat accident that killed a group of local people, including his brother, and which hangs a heavy shadow over the entire village. George is the embodiment of the village's grief, as well as the focal point from some curious morbid anger - he is a pariah for his survival, and the village seem intent on making him aware of the fact. Inspired by a folk tale told by his mother, and his Christian faith, Aaron sets out to sea, convinced that his brother is still alive, and simply requires saving from someone who believes it possible. MacKay's portrayal of Aaron is like a skinned knee - wounded and vulnerable, but utterly irresistible. He conveys the horror of his situation, as well, rather heart-breakingly, the horror of having survived, quite perfectly, and though some of the stylistic approach - including adding news clips to break up shots, sometimes feels a little too much, his story is wonderfully engaging. As his brother, Jordan Young is just as good, though there isn't the weight behind the character as there is with Aaron for good reason. There is something of a deep darkness beneath the surface of this film, which is explored as details of Aaron's past before the accident, and the film flirts with our perception of our hero - whether he is the wounded victim or something darker - though without ever expressly tipping in an extreme direction. It is a horror film, no doubt, but with entirely different perameters to traditional shockers, and it is the angry emotional wounds, or Aaron and his mother (Kate Dickie) that are the ghosts here, as well, rather creatively, as Aaron himself. This is not a mere fraught character study however, as the mysticism, and the magical touches - particularly in the final scene - make the now numerous references to the excellent Beasts Of The Southern Wild extremely pertinent. For Those In Peril is a very, very good effort for a debut director, and a great film even without the caveat, and like The Angels' Share last year, it follows the trend of Scotland having a strong showing on the Croisette.