"“An honest and affecting portrayal of a father and daughter living alone in the Scottish Highlands...”"

There is something unmistakably British about Shell, as a feature that is complete with the nuances that define the more devastating side to British cinema, in what is a challenging debut feature for Scott Graham, in an honest and affecting portrayal of a father and daughter living alone in the Scottish Highlands.

Chloe Pirrie plays Shell, who lives with her father Pete (Joseph Mawle) in their deserted petrol station, tucked away in the deep echelons of the Scottish Highlands. With only a handful of reoccurring customers, Shell lives somewhat of a lonely existence, evidently lacking in persistent human contact and affection.

Shell craves such attention from her own father, of whom she shares a turbulent relationship with. Delving into unseemly territory on occasion, sharing incestuous moments with the man who has raised her single handedly since her mother left her as a young child. As time progresses and Shell continues to grow into a young adult, questions of her own grim livelihood are raised, in what proves to be a subtle yet enticing piece of cinema.

Graham has made an intelligent film, which is symbolic and meaningful. You feel that everything has been implemented for a reason. There is scene where we see Pete washing blood off his hands, for example, and the occasional shot of Shell in the bath or on the toilet, and sometimes sleeping, portraying her vulnerability. The picture is also hauntingly atmospheric, from the vast wilderness of the Scottish Highlands, to the consistent, almost agonising sound of wind howling emanating from the outdoors, bearing a likeness in that respect to Bela Tarr's The Turin Horse, also enhanced by the fact it's also a portrayal of a father and daughter isolated and living alone, featuring scenes of them tentatively eating dinner together.

Shell is difficult viewing at times, and slow-burning in the process, as you sit on edge throughout, continuously anticipating the very worst. In a sense it is perhaps too misery trodden, as there aren't many positives to be taken away from this one, In fact, none at all really. It's a tale of two very lonely and tragic characters, and the dynamics between the pair are intriguing, as Shell is often the one who instigates any potential sexual activity, which is somewhat rare to see in film, as often it's the parent who is the perpetrator. The fact it is Shell, however, is equally as tragic as it is just as disturbing - born out of desolation and neglect.

Both lead performances are astounding, as well as featuring an impressive cameo role for Michael Smiley as the lonely, local customer Hugh. Pirrie's debut film shows much promise, as this is a real study of character and the film simply wouldn't work had it not been for her tragic and moving performance. Alongside director Graham, here are two newcomers we certainly shan't be hearing the last of.