Bitter Tides

Bitter Tides follows a grieving mother, Anna (Jade-Olivia Patrick), as she meets a taxi driver (Duane C Tucker), who changes her course in ways she never expected. The piece is a devastating depiction of the damage grief can cause and how you learn to carry it, as it never leaves you.

The film is deeply rooted in isolation and stillness as Anna attempts to grapple with her grief, and the screenplay tackles themes of memory, loss and self-forgiveness. One of the most powerful tools the filmmakers employ is the frequent use of visual storytelling in the film's opening, which conveys Anna’s deep suffering and inner turmoil. Jade-Olivia Patrick, in her portrayal of Anna, is terrific as she conveys her grief in a harrowing way, and it's emotionally devastating to witness. While it may be a challenging viewing experience, it's an essential watch to understand the impacts grief can have on individuals. Duane C Tucker, in his portrayal of the taxi driver, complements this by offering a helping hand of empathy to Anna, helping her understand and carry her grief. From the opening frame to the last, the film sinks its teeth into the viewer and may linger in their mind long after the credits roll.

The lack of dialogue in the opening of the piece allows for some frenetic editing choices that are harrowing in their attempt to showcase Anna’s nightmarish thoughts. While the visual storytelling does a lot of the heavy lifting, it's ultimately the performances that anchor the heart and soul of the film's themes. Epidemic Sound, serving as the music and sound department for the film, delivers a deeply haunting and hypnotic musical score that enhances the more isolating moments of stillness. The score can be overbearing at times; however, it's an intentional artistic choice to convey Anna’s pain. Sound is an essential aspect of the film, as evident in its title, where the tides of the sea influence the noises in the more intimate scenes. Unfortunately, some of the ADR is rough, making certain pieces of dialogue indistinct, and is a detriment to some of the most pivotal scenes. That being said, the dialogue is deeply provocative and offers different perspectives on human nature and grief.

Ned Wakeley, serving as the film's cinematographer, primarily shoots wide shots as Anna crosses the beach and switches to close-ups when she is in anguish. This choice effectively makes the more heart-wrenching scenes more visceral as the viewer is placed in her point of view. The use of flashbacks is another formal decision that pays off beautifully, particularly with the dynamic camerawork that tracks Anna in her moments of happiness. These moments help to unpack Anna’s grief through their surreal and haunting nature. It's a deeply moving and hugely affecting piece of filmmaking that doesn't shy away from the sheer isolation of grief and loss.

Bitter Tides is an emotionally overwhelming experience that shows how certain encounters can have an impact on how you navigate life after loss. Assisted by two tremendous central performances from Jade-Olivia Patrick and Duane C Tucker, and despite some questionable ADR, Bitter Tides is a deeply haunting and mesmerising piece of work.