Rent $4.50
Stream - One week's rental Buy $7.50
Download - For private home use only Get Screening Licence

Of Fish and Foe

Feature - 92 min Broadcast - 58 min

A surprising look at contemporary eco-activism on the Scottish Seas

Of Fish and Foe The Pullars are one of the last families using traditional methods to fish for wild Atlantic salmon off the coast of Scotland. When these methods involve killing seals, the salmon’s natural predators, conflict erupts. Animal activist groups Sea Shepherd and Hunt Saboteurs oppose the Pullars at every turn, despite the legality of the fishermen’s actions and the consequences to their livelihood. Challenging preconceptions, this ambiguous doc puts modern environmentalism under the microscope.

Of Fish and Foe (2018) on IMDb

Festivals
LaurelHot Docs - Official Selection
LaurelDoc NYC - Official Selection
LaurelGlasgow Film Festival - Official Selection

Reviews and More

“A rough and ready portrait of a peculiar culture clash...” – TheScotsman

“Gripping tale of seals, salmon and saboteurs.” – The Guardian

"It’s fascinating, frustrating and often brutal.” – Time Out London

“A thoughtful and well-crafted piece of film documentary.” – Islington Tribune

“Infuriatingly brilliant” – Glasgow Film

“A truly thought-provoking and potentially controversial documentary...” – DCA 20

“Effectively a war film, Of Fish and Foe pits fisherman against the likes of Sea Shepherd...” – Common Space

Watch a Q&A with Directors Heike Bachelier & Andy Heathcote and composer Stephen Daltry here.

The Producers


Andy Heathcote - Director

Andy is a British independent filmmaker specialising in documentary feature films. After taking a photography degree he trained as an assistant film editor for three years, working on commercials and corporate projects and in television news and current affairs. He has attended the Northern Film School and the Polish National Film School in Łódź. His previous titles include The Moo Man (2013), The Lost World of Mr Hardy (2008) and English Goodbye (2000).


Heike Bachelier - Director

Heike started her career as a live director for the television networks Tele 5 and WDR before becoming junior producer at the Colonia Media film production company. There she developed documentaries for WDR, ZDF and Arte. In 2007 she founded the film production company Trufflepig Films. In 2010 her feature documentary Feindberührung premiered at the Hof Film Festival.

Making The Film


Making the Film

We knew the ancient tradition of salmon net fishermen had become controversial. We did not know we were walking into a battle-zone. The fishermen were tough, hard working guys who we came to like and to respect. The activists were often fearless in their aim but also surprised us in their ruthless dedication. It opened up a new question; does the end justify the means? And so followed a summer filming along the rugged Scottish coastline, often in the 'cobles', the small open boats. But who'd have thought we'd need thermal underwear in the middle of July?

Andy and Heike's previous film The Moo Man was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards.

OTHER FILMS YOU MAY LIKE

FEATURED FILMS

This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more info see our Cookies Policy