Dir. Huw Wahl
2024 | 80 mins | UK

As pat of Exeter’s Heritage Harbour Festival, Wind, Tide & Oar is returning to Studio 74 after it’s December premier; a compelling exploration of engineless sailing and the lives of those who navigate the seas without relying on auxiliary power.

Shot on 16mm analogue film over three years, it follows a diverse array of traditional boats, delving into the rhythms and motivations of sailing engineless. Director Huw Wahl takes viewers on a mesmerising journey across rivers, coasts, and open seas, spanning the UK, the Netherlands, and France. The film serves as a contemplative space, addressing themes such as ecology, mental health, heritage, traditional skills, and maritime history. Using a 1960s hand-wound camera, Wahl offers a poetic and intimate perspective on the ancient craft of harnessing the wind for travel, creating a stark contrast to the contemporary issues of sea exploitation and pollution.

Wind, Tide & Oar invites deep reflection on our relationship with the natural world, where sailing becomes a place to explore our interaction with and responsibility to the environment. It immerses audiences in a thought provoking experience that informs our understanding of sustainability and the world around us.

Heritage Harbour Festival

Sunday June 8th is Exeter’s annual Heritage Harbour Festival where traditional vessels and a range of other historic transport owners come along to join singers and musicians, creative artists and a multitude of the public to celebrate the city’s historic harbour.

BBFC Rating

Rated PG – mild bad language