Two Years at Sea

Two Years at Sea is an introspective 2011 documentary directed by British filmmaker Ben Rivers. The film presents a solitary, strangely serene, and intensely intimate portrait of a man named Jake Williams, who chooses the remote wilderness as his home, living in a manner most people might find incomprehensibly isolated. The film generates a fascinating and meditatively slow panorama of details in Jake's life, inviting the audience to question the complexity of human nature, solitude, and the choices one makes.

Shot entirely in 16mm black-and-white, the film has an ethereal, timeless quality to it. The countryside is captured in all its barren beauty, precisely showcasing its foggy landscapes, dense forests, and tranquil lake waters, helping create a wonderfully lyrical space for its protagonist to dwell in. The wide shots, limited dialogue, and overall free-form structure of the film artfully draws viewers into Jake's world, and the lean narrative combines elements that might remind one of avant-garde cinema and visual arts.

In the heart of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Jake lives secluded in a rustic house, surrounded by uncultivated nature. He is not a hermit shunning society, nor a survivalist preparing for an apocalypse, but a man who has chosen a life of essential simplicity and solitude, embracing a lifestyle that greatly contrasts our modern city lives dictated by technology and overarching societal expectations.

Throughout the film, we catch glimpses of Jake's everyday activities, as he proceeds through the seasons, conducting endeavors of varying simplicity and complexity, often causing us to wonder if this is a life chosen, or one thrust upon our lonely protagonist. Rivers manages to catch these moments with an observational nonchalance that adds to the mystique and authenticity of this intimate documentary.

Despite the solitude, Jake is a lively character, often imbuing even the simplest tasks with a brand of understated humor. He takes the old world to the brink of absurdity by launching a raft in a little lake and sleeping in a tree above his caravan. It's a whimsical existence, one where the ebb and flow of hours, days, and seasons are the only measurements of time, far removed from the universally accepted mechanisms of today's lifestyle.

Rivers' directorial decisions are truly intriguing. Instead of relying heavily on backstory or dialogue, he uses discipline, patience, and silence to create a rich tapestry of life unraveling. The lack of conventional storytelling methods might seem challenging for some viewers, but these choices help embody a deeper meaning - that Jake's life is a quiet rebellion, ringing loudly in its near silence.

Two Years at Sea is a celebration of the art of solitude, a visual hymn to a life lived on one's own terms. It is a love letter to nature and the simplicity of existence juxtaposed against the complicated structures of societal norms. Jake, at his essence, is but a man surrendering himself to the wilderness, his world untethered from the restraints of modern living. He is shown to appreciate the beauty of the simple things, a trait that may initially seem strange but is ultimately endearing.

Sublimely beautiful and occasionally bizarre, this film evokes multiple interpretations. The black and white grainy visuals not only give an aesthetic appeal but also seem to represent the blurred lines between isolation and solitude, necessity and desire. It takes a deep dive into a way of life that has been willingly suspended in time, seen through the lens of an observer and captured in beautifully nuanced detail.

In the end, Two Years at Sea is much less about providing socio-cultural commentary and more about encouraging us, the viewers, to ponder upon our own preconceived notions. It invites us to dwell in silence and simplicity, to reflect on the meaning of freedom. This film is a unique journey, persistent and passionate, into the unexplored terrains of solitude. Rivers invites not just a simple viewing but a deeply meditative experience, inspiring contemplation of life's most fundamental questions.

Indeed, Two Years at Sea might not be a movie for everyone, but those who appreciate a different cinematic perspective and are open to its profound minimalistic aesthetic will find it a compelling watch - a visually stunning voyage into the concept of solitude and a salute to a lifestyle that dares to live differently.