Project Detail

The Solway

Name: The Solway
Director: Eamon Bourke
Genre: Biography, History, Music
Released: 2026
Duration: 84 min

An audio cassette tape, with the title 'Childrens Tape for Sue', being repaired.

A gravestone at Torpenhow Church, marking the grave of Sue.

The film's director (Eamon) and his mother (Sue) in a slide photograph, filmed through a loupe

The film's director repairing a found audio tape that has been severed

The film director's father, John, studies rediscovered archive images

A tree in the landscape of the Lake District

Synopsis

Sue died suddenly in 1983, leaving behind three young children. Her son, filmmaker Eamon Bourke, was three and has no memories of his mother. When his father, John, decides to sell their remote cottage in Cumbria, Eamon doesn’t want to let it go, so returns to capture it on film. In the process of clearing the house, Eamon discovers a series of extraordinary cassette tapes recorded by Sue.
These cassettes hold the memories Eamon has longed for. Sue’s voice lights up the film. But within the recordings are some devastating moments, including Sue falling ill with hepatitis. The last thing she recorded was her and Eamon singing together. Then another tape is discovered, broken and with a severed reel. Eamon repairs this cassette, revealing a heartbreaking recording that transports him back to the epicentre of the tragedy.
Through interviews with his family members, alongside land art, animation and music, THE SOLWAY explores the trauma of losing a parent in early childhood and how the ripples of this grief linger into later life. Set amongst the cinematic beauty of the Lake District, this film has a rare magic to it and offers audiences a space to contemplate their own grief.

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Details

Year: 2026
Type of project: Features
Running time: 84 min
Format: Digital 4k DCP 24fps 1.90
Director: Eamon Bourke 1st Feature
Producer: Edward Arthur, Nicola Cutcher
Editor: Eamon Bourke, Harvey Quirke
Director of Photography: Eamon Bourke, Jay Creagh
Sound: Nic Allen, Andrew Wilson
Composer: Rollo Clarke, James Gillespie, Sam Gillespie, Ceitidh Mac, Mairead Kerr
Principal cast: With contributions from: Eamon Bourke, John Bourke, Susan Bourke, Alice Pelliccia Bourke, Hannah Gregory
Other Lead Creative(s): Animation: Ashley Dean

Genre

Biography History Music

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Mitos Studios Ltd

Edward Arthur
Bronheulwen
Glasbury
Hereford
Wales
HR3 5LS

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