Kiss the Water

'Kiss the Water' stands as a beautiful fusion of animated visuals, biography, and fishing lore. Released in 2013, the movie features a captivating narrative by American actor Richard Poe and stunning narration by Scottish actress Gerda Stevenson. This film is an artistically rendered documentary in tribute to Megan Boyd, who was, in many respects, a true master of her craft.

'Kiss the Water' is a mesmerizing film experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional documentary making. The eternally moving artistry, fused with poetically narrated stories, paints a compelling portrait of Megan Boyd, an obscure woman who led an intensely private life in an isolated part of Sutherland, Scotland. Tempered by the wild Scottish landscape, Boyd was an unassuming character who handmade the world's most beautiful fishing flies, revered by royalty and famous anglers around the world.

The documentary, directed by Eric Steel, frames the world of Boyd with an attention to detail and an effectively interpretive approach to filmmaking, infusing life, love, and an enticing sense of mystery. He probes into Boyd's eccentric life and ingenious artistry while making his picture, breathing life, and soul into her life's passion - flytying.

In this film, you'll see an ambivalent nod to the age-old pastime of fishing, intricately meshed with the tale of an extraordinary craftswoman. Boyd's flies, seen in remarkable detail through the lens of Steel's camera, are revealed as works of art, miniature sculptures each with a purpose of both attracting and deceiving. She blended feathers and fur with ultimate precision, spinning together meticulously blends to create fishing flies that were truly unparalleled.

The narration by Gerda Stevenson is poetic and serene, perfectly capturing the essence of the North Scottish landscape, while the voiceover by Richard Poe adds a distinct layer of intrigue and depth in understanding Boyd's extraordinary world. While the film interlaces interviews with locals, friends, and admirers of Boyd, their testimonies delve into her simplicity and solitude as well as the mystic air that surrounded her.

A distinctive feature of 'Kiss the Water' is the imaginative animation sequences by Em Cooper that illuminate the narrative. They add tremendous value precisely because they capture a vivid sense of the environment, the very waters where Boyd's hand-tied flies were caste, and the salmon, which were the objects of the angler's quest. Combining oil-painted animation with live-action, the film moves seamlessly between the vivid color sequences of the underwater world and the more subdued beauty of the windy and desolate Scottish highlands.

The film further explores Boyd's passion for her craft and her obsession with the elusive salmon she never fished for but for whom each fly was created. Beyond the woman and her art, 'Kiss the Water' also subtly draws attention to the paradox and cruelty of fly fishing, where such beautiful creations are designed solely to serve the purpose of deceiving and preying upon the majestic salmon.

In its totality, 'Kiss the Water' is a sensory feast for arts and nature lovers alike. Far from being just a profile of a highly skilled artisan and her craft, it is a lyrical exploration of life, love, simplicity, and the haunting charm of solitude. The soundtrack further enhances the film's ethereal quality, creating an ambient soundscape that pulls you deeply into Boyd's secluded world.

In conclusion, 'Kiss the Water' invites viewers on an introspective journey through the mysterious life and remarkable talent of Megan Boyd, unveiling layer by layer the world of fly fishing and its captivating charm. It is her story as much as it is a tribute to the simple, intense beauty of nature and the art it inspires. Want a taste of something different and beautiful? Then don't miss the alluring journey that is 'Kiss the Water'.