Grief and loss will do strange things to the strongest people. However, one universal truth is that it’s incredibly difficult to let go and move on with your life. Whilst as the saying goes, time is the greatest healer, for some the pain will not fade quickly enough. They need a complete break in order to begin a new chapter in their life. This is the starting point for Coz Greenop’s new film Dark Beacon, where a remote lighthouse provides the haven.
After the dramatic death of her husband, Beth (Lynne Anne Rodgers) moves with their young daughter Maya (Kendra Mei) to live in a remote lighthouse. When her friend Amy (April Pearson) arrives unexpectedly, she finds Beth broken and Maya unwilling or unable to speak. Amy tries to reconnect, but old cracks soon begin to appear. Strange visions and a mysterious apparition threaten to tear them apart.
Whilst Dark Beacon is unlikely to light up your life, decent acting and a plot which gradually gets under your skin ensure that it’s an affecting and tense experience. The rugged backdrop and the eerie lighthouse are beautifully captured by Haider Zafar. Indeed, the intricate direction and innovative camerawork are what make it feel much grander than the budget would suggest. Dark Beacon is an exercise in power, persuasion and fear.
Dark Beacon is out in cinemas on 22 March and Digital Download 27 March 2018.
