Synopsis:
Located six miles off the Essex coast of England is an island
fortress. During WW2 it functioned as a military naval base. For
many years afterwards, it lay abandoned. Then, in 1967, it was
occupied once more when Major Roy Bates claimed it to be his own
sovereign state, transforming this iron shack in the North Sea into
the Principality of Sealand.
The film Freedom from the Sea explores this process, as well as the
lived experience of life there today. It considers in what sense
does 'the state" really exist. A dream of freedom seems to motivate
all those involved. But are these dreams fulfilled or are they in
fact fantasies?
Awards
Grand Jury Prize Winner, Audience Award Winner and Documentary
Award Winner, Exposures Student Film Festival North West,
2004
Festivals
Tartu World Film Festival, Estonia, 2005
First Take International Student Film Festival, Toronto, 2005
Fresh Film Festival, Prague, 2005
Synopsis:
Located six miles off the Essex coast of England is an island
fortress. During WW2 it functioned as a military naval base. For
many years afterwards, it lay abandoned. Then, in 1967, it was
occupied once more when Major Roy Bates claimed it to be his own
sovereign state, transforming this iron shack in the North Sea into
the Principality of Sealand.
The film Freedom from the Sea explores this process, as well as the
lived experience of life there today. It considers in what sense
does 'the state" really exist. A dream of freedom seems to motivate
all those involved. But are these dreams fulfilled or are they in
fact fantasies?
Awards
Grand Jury Prize Winner, Audience Award Winner and Documentary
Award Winner, Exposures Student Film Festival North West,
2004
Festivals
Tartu World Film Festival, Estonia, 2005
First Take International Student Film Festival, Toronto, 2005
Fresh Film Festival, Prague, 2005