SAVA
directed by Matthew Somerville // 5 awards // 26 Film Festivals
SAVA is a river movie taking you on a 990 km journey through the Western Balkans. Once the longest in Yugoslavia she now forms borders while flowing endlessly between the young nation states Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. With Sava as the protagonist (voiced by Mira Furlan - Lost & The Abandoned), this unconventional documentary merges contemporary and historical narratives with a guiding ethereal voice which explores a complex relationship between nature, borders and nationhood.
A YEAR OF A KING
Directed by Matthew Somerville // Produced by Priya Biring, Denzil Monk and Ed Owles
The queen is dead, long live the king! The coronation unveils a year of ritual, seeking to remember who we were, who we are and who we will become?
in-production // Due for Release in 2025
110 HOUSES
directed by Matthew Somerville // in-production // due for release 2026
110 HOUSES is a documentary film shot over 6 years about an ambitious new architecture project in rural Tanzania. Through the eyes of a medical researcher Salum Mshamu and the N’dende family who win a house in a lottery the film explores if an experimental housing project that could combat malaria and other diseases to improve the lives of those living in Sub-Saharan Africa or create severe disruption in the villages of Southern Tanzania.
MOTHMAN
"Imagine the ecstasy of the Moths"
Vasil Jurukov, from South London, roams the city streets, contemplating his theory about the relationship between moths, light and humanity. As night falls, the moths start to fly. No one really knows why they are attracted to light. Thousands of years ago they glided through a natural landscape, using the moon and the stars for guidance, while we slept by the fire. Now, as we stare into the luminous abyss in our cities that never sleep, the moths begin to spin, seeming lost and confused.
Directed, Filmed, Edited by Matthew Somerville // Voice and narration by Vasil Jurokov
FOTIA / FIRE
Fotia (Fire) is a film by Matthew Somerville and photographer Marco Kesseler. The work forms a visual exploration of tradition and cultural identity through an ancient narrative set on the Greek island of Chios. Two churches celebrate Easter by firing over 100,000 rockets at the opposing side both sides declare victory and the tradition continues....
Directed, Filmed & Edited by Matthew Somerville // Produced & Camera by Marco Kesseler
Published by Narrative.ly
ORTEGA & OMAR
This short documentary follows the narrative of the November 2016 Nicaraguan elections through the eyes of activist Omar Perez, who is working to encourage participation and transparency in the democratic process. What unfolds is a demonstration of Daniel Ortega's and the Sandinistas’ influence on democracy in Nicaragua, and Omar’s hope for the future.
Published by Global Citizen. Director, Camera, Editor - Matthew Somerville Assistant Produced by James Morrisson
LAW 840
Law 840 is a long-term project examining the socio-political and physical landscape in Nicaragua. The film travels the proposed route of Daniel Ortega's interoceanic canal, from the Pacific to the Caribbean ocean, speaking to inhabitants about its potential impact on the social and environmental fabric of the country.
Directed, Filmed and Edited by Matthew Somerville
HOMETOWN HYDRO
Power Hackers, a series made in collaboration with Autodesk, profiles unexpected makers and designers who are developing creative climate solutions.
On the remote Isle of Eigg, energy options are limited. When faced with the choice of a diesel generator or no power at all, John, a postman, decided to generate his own power using a simple hydro system that feeds off his own natural water source.
Director - Matthew Somerville
Produced & Edited- Makeshift
Drone - Ben Cormac
Music - Greg Thomas