Rob Munday
When you think of screen adaptations of comic books, you’re likely picturing big-budget superhero movies – the world of Marvel Comics brought to life in breathtaking fx-driven glory. For the vast majority of short filmmakers this is career progression they can only dream of (unless you’re Kate Herron), but bringing graphic novels to screen isn’t always the over-the-top blockbuster experience that first springs to mind, as Victor Carrey proves with his poignant short film Poor Sailor.
“I immediately fell in love with this simple but universal story”
Based on Sammy Harkham’s comic book of the same name, Carrey’s 14-minute film is the story of a lumberjack who sees his seemingly content life turned upside-down when his brother returns with tales of adventure from his life as a sailor. Left feeling restless after hearing these stories, he decides it’s time to broaden his own experiences and joins his travelling sibling on the oceans. It’s a classic narrative centred around the idea that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
“I read Samy Harkham’s comic book and I immediately fell in love with this simple but universal story”, Carrey reveals as we discuss his motivation to make Poor Sailor. Aiming to capture Harkham’s story with a strong aesthetic style, which would “keep the comic book’s narrative”, the director employs a series of filmmaking choices to pay tribute to his source material.
Carrey employs a classic 4:3 ratio to recreate the comic book frame.
Utilising a classic 4:3 ratio and a static camera to replicate the comic book frame and its restrictions, it’s evident throughout Poor Sailor just how much Carrey’s film is a love letter to the simple, but effective storytelling of Harkham’s original (which in turn is based on a Guy de Maupassant short story). Described by the director as a “very complicated and ambitious film to shoot”, his hard work really pays off as Poor Sailor is a tale of epic proportions (in both story and production) with a relatable, heartfelt message.
Poor Sailor is Carrey’s second film to feature on our site, following 2013 pick La Huida – described by S/W co-founder Jason Sondhi as a “remarkable short”. With an impressive collection of commercials and music videos also in his back catalogue, it’s no surprise to hear the talented director is now working on his debut feature.