The Edge of the World

Powell’s baptism of fire and breakthrough film. After many low budget stories supported by the British industry as part of competing against Hollywood dominance, the director finally got to realize his dream scenario. Powell became fascinated by the Scottish islands, which were losing their inhabitants and becoming deserted due to difficult natural conditions. The crew went to the faraway island of Foula (called Hirta in the film) in the Shetland archipelago, where over four summer months they shot footage that reflected the beauty and the horror of the island with its terrifying high cliffs. In this simple story about an unsolvable dilemma – whether to let go of the old model of life or stay in a place outside of civilization – both professional actors and inhabitants of the island are very convincing in their roles. The Edge of the World, which brings to mind the work of documentary filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty, transports us to a landscape where people are only an adjunct to the rocks, grasslands and ocean winds.

Sebastian Smoliński