The North-East of England: Fisherman Stan Rennie has worked the same stretch of coastline, where the river meets the sea, for over fifty years; the trade has been in his family for centuries. So when a vast tide of poisoned crabs and lobsters washes ashore like a biblical plague in the wake of a new Brexit-fuelled development along that same coastline, Stan’s world is turned upside-down overnight. Have the sins of the industrial past come back to haunt the present?

Dealing with the devastation of his business and his own failing health, Stan finds himself thrown into a battle for the future. As officials equivocate, he becomes the unlikely figurehead for a grassroots campaign to uncover the truth about the die-off, managing it in the only way he knows how, with heart, determination and a rich strain of gallows humour.

A wry, David and Goliath story about navigating through grief and finding power in community. A film by Teessider Jeanie Finlay.

In Person Q&A: A special preview screening of Jeanie Finlay's new documentary, followed by a Q&A with Producer Charlie Phillip.

Presented in partnership with Festival of Debate and Sheffield Docfest.

Director Jeanie Finlay
Year 2026
Duration 2h 20m
Language English