Horses - 90 minute theatrical feature documentary for BBC Storyville/RTE/West Park Pictures.
The score manipulates location sound recording within the music to reflect the inner life of race horses. It asks - how does the world look from the perspective of a race horse ? Based in a stable in Southeast Ireland, HORSES follows three equine protagonists as they prepare for the National Hunt races: grueling trials in which a dozen or so thoroughbreds gallop in a tight pack around 2-5 mile grass courses, leaping (or trying to leap) over obstacles of 41/2 feet or more. Will they win or lose? Do they care? Why do they do it? What happens if they fail? Trainers, grooms and an equine masseur help us explore the distinct personalities of three professional histories.
Director: Liz Mermin.
Producers: Aisling Ahmed, Nick Fraser, James Mitchell, Alan Maher
Special jury prize selection at Sheffield Documentary Festival.
Shortlisted for Best Cinema Documentary - Grierson Documentary Awards
World Showcase - Hot Docs Film Festival
TV pick of the day in The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Evening Standard, & Time Out
Streaming on Docsville
“ A sparse but rhythmic electro score by James Burrell somehow evokes an equine viewpoint” – Variety
“ A remarkably odd score that actually sounds like a horse’s idea of music” **** View London
“This remarkable documentary might offer the most searching portrait of equine personality since George Stubbs” **** The Independent
“Intensely strange and fascinating ; resonant music cues” The Artsdesk
“A pleasure to watch” The Guardian
TV Pick of the Day in The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph. The Times, The Evening Standard & Time Out
Surprising and Evocative - Pop Matters
Featured on The Guardian’s Film Weekly Podcast
Feature in Real Screen