The Beach

Two families spend the day at a deserted beach on the hottest day of the summer in this short film which marks a directing debut for long time producer and production manager Dorthe Scheffmann. While husbands and children occupy themselves, Margie (Donogh Rees) discovers a terrible secret about her friend Anne (Elizabeth Hawthorne) and her marriage. Margie’s explosive reaction shatters the languor created by the overexposed footage in this Hamburg Film Festival prize-winner (which was also selected for competition at Cannes and Telluride).

I really like The Beach. I think I was really lucky that my first film is fairly articulate - it's clear and concise. I think that's lucky. I'll be very lucky to make another film in my career which I have that kind of emotional response to. And when I say that, it's not that I think it's an excellent film, it's just that I can look at it and feel good about it.

– Director Dorthe Scheffmann

Key Cast & Crew

Frances Edmond

Writer

Elizabeth Hawthorne

As: Anne

Dorthe Scheffmann

Director, Co-Producer

Charlie Baird

As: Simon

Richard Evans

As: Jeff, Co-Producer

Bruce Hopkins

As: David