Review: Mersea oyster film captures the 'flavour of Mersea'

The film presents a snapshot in time of the famous Colchester island, whilst plunging into the depths of its oyster heritage and history.

Matthew’s choice of shots and natural narrative flow keep the film running like the river Blackwater, where many oystermen work diligently to pull the shells from where they rest in the ocean bed.

Famous - Mersea is known around the world for its flavourful oysters (Image: Matthew Harrison) His film sails into the lives of the oystermen’s work and histories, with one ninth-generation fisherman recalling memories of dredging with his grandfather.

Their work is set against the backdrop of Mersea’s murky waters and muddy marshes, while Matthew lets the wind sing solo to share the peace the work can bring.

But it also shows their hard labour. Notable is the contrast Matthew creates between the pomp and celebration of Colchester’s Oyster Feast and Brightlingsea’s Blessing of the Waters to the efforts of the oystermen, where the hooting of the crowd becomes the roar of the ship’s engine.

He shared in the Q&A after the film that one oysterman kept his fishing spot top secret, but that it was a four-hour trip there and back in the dark.

Delicious - Matthew's 87-year-old gran, Jennifer Lee, also features in the film enjoying some oysters (Image: Matthew Harrison) One of the most satisfying moments was the inclusion of Matthew’s own grandmother, who has lived on Mersea island all his life, as she appeared utterly content slurping down a delicious oyster in the comfort of her own home.

Original scores by Reverend Matthew Simpkins help make the impact of the film swell, pulling the audience in on a current of awe and mystery and leaving them with as many questions about oysters as the film answers.

A delightful song by poet Martin Newell, which managed to sound like a sea shanty from the 1800s, named The Queen of Oysters, boosted spirits and celebrated the generations upon generations of oyster men from the past.

Oystermen - Dale Belbin is a ninth-generation oyster fisherman and worked with Matthew for the film (Image: Matthew Harrison)It left the small audience in the mayor’s parlour fascinated after the preliminary screening, with councillors asking many questions and Mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell sharing she “learned so much about Mersea’s oyster community”. The chamber was bathed in awe as the oyster lore washed over them.

The film is truly spectacular, emotive and celebratory all at once. Mersea is offered up as a delicious treat, with 'Oyster Land' the pearl that has been formed within it.

The next screening will take place at the Commons Café at the Minories, Colchester, at 7pm on 26 October. Tickets are £7.20 and can be purchased here.

There will be future screenings along the coast as well as at the Ipswich Maritime Trust.