This is what we're watching: "Northern Waters" - a brutal series about whalers that does not let go until the end credits
Miscellaneous / / May 27, 2023
At one time, this mini-series did not receive due attention. Critic Dmitry Kamyshenko believes that in vain.
In a new series of articles, every week I talk about what films and series have amazed me.
Let's start, perhaps, with "Northern Waters" - a dirty and bright series in the entourage of the XIX century. At first glance, this seems to be a historical movie, but in the future it incorporates elements of a thriller, drama about survival, horror, and even an existential parable.
An interesting story is told in 5 hour episodes - enough for a couple of evenings. Although I watched it in one night - it's too difficult to pause "Northern Waters".
Maybe it's the bright characters. What is at least Henry Drax, played by Colin Farrell. Always drunk, dirty, cruel - in fact, this is a pirate who was born too late, and therefore was forced to become a sailor. If you ask the neural network to draw evil in human form, you get Henry Drax.
By the way, Colin Farrell's height is 178 centimeters, but he is filmed so that he looks like a two-meter thug. Farrell's last (maybe only) scare was in the second season of True Detective, though he didn't have a pickaxe.
1 / 0
Shot from the series "Northern Waters"
2 / 0
Shot from the series "Northern Waters"
3 / 0
Shot from the series "Northern Waters"
4 / 0
Shot from the series "Northern Waters"
"Northern Waters" is also beautiful as a statement about violence. And if at first it is expressed in whaling, then it gradually spreads to the relationship of crew members (by the way, this series resembles an excellent novel “Terrorby Dan Simmons). But the main source of violence is nature, which punishes people. If you feel sorry for the whales, then turn on the series and see how the wild world takes revenge.
I was also pleased with the realism. For example, if a character is hit on the head with a healthy stick, then he will not turn off for 5 minutes - his skull will be broken. Because of such moments, the “cinema” is erased, what is happening on the screen acquires a real nerve.
And “Northern Waters” has a very peculiar (and interesting) approach to the religious issue. If you are interested in religions in a broad sense (or you also studied religion), then feel free to turn on the series. Christianity prevails in Great Britain and on the ship, but the farther the crew sails, the more elements of paganism and shamanism appears on the screen. To survive, the characters are forced to undergo a spiritual rebirth. Relatively speaking, it is useless to pray to the Christian God where pagans live - it is better to ask for help from a bear from legends.
Films and series rarely resort to such a formula, it is easier to hang a cross on the hero. "Northern Waters" seems to say that in Britain you can wear a cross, but in the north, be kind - put on someone's fang or paw.
Read also🧐
- 15 best films and cartoons about the Vikings: from historical classics to fantasy
- Power struggle and cool costumes: 11 best series about the Middle Ages
- 11 TV shows about survival that will take your breath away