One of my favorite films out of TIFF 2023 was a little indy family drama called “Seagrass.” It was one of the first films I saw at the festival, and even after some 60+ screenings still managed to crack my top 5 best films. A moving, intimate drama filled with layered and complex characters, “Seagrass” absolutely wrecked me with its affecting emotion and authenticity. The film has won numerous festival awards, including Best British Columbia Film and Best British Columbia Director at the Vancouver Film Festival, the FIPRESCI Prize at TIFF, and Outstanding Canadian Feature Film at Cinéfest.
“Seagrass” had its theatrical release February 23rd and is currently playing in select theaters. So when I got a chance to sit down and talk with the writer/director Meredith Hama-Brown, I jumped at the chance. Meredith was an absolute delight to speak with, and it was a joy to unpack such a wonderful film with its creator. “Seagrass” is her feature film debut, and discuss the writing process and what it was like to take part in this first time filmmaking experience.
Meredith and I discuss the themes of the film as well as shooting on location with a cave that serves as a central part of the film as well as some very real life dangers if they weren’t careful during their shooting times! We talk about how the cast came together, which includes Ally Macki, Chris Pang, Sarah Gadon, Luke Roberts and two child actors Nyha Huang Breitkreuz and Remy Marthaller that came to fruition at the very last minute (a story worth checking out during our interview).
“Seagrass” follows Judith (Macki), a Japanese-Canadian woman who is dealing with the recent death of her mother as she takes her family on a retreat. With her marriage on the brink of ruin and their young children struggling to process the fracturing of their family, the tensions rise as they deal with being an interracial couple and the weight of their differences and trauma. “Seagrass” covers a lot of ground thematically and emotionally, and Hama-Brown is patient and confident in how she balances and weaves them altogether. She brilliantly brings the beachside setting to life with haunting efficiency, and explores dark and troubling themes with poignant realism.
The film is terrific, and it was a great experience to be able to speak with Meredith about “Seagrass.” I am very much looking forward to her next project, which she does give us a little sneak peek at at the end of the interview!
You can check out our full discussion below, as well as the “Seagrass” Trailer.
