RECOMPOSING EARTH
Documentary Short Film, 2024
Under two feet of peaty soil on the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lies buried the only recording of Orcadian composer Erland Cooper’s unheard album. In an entirely unique attempt to collaborate with the natural world, it would be an experiment on patience, art and value. Will the tape emerge silent, and does it matter if it does?
‘Recomposing Earth’ takes you into the mind of an artist and the magic of the Orkney Islands that inspire him, with a story that reminds us of the importance of music and appreciating silence in an increasingly loud world. Featuring interviews with Paul Weller, producer Marta Salogni and Sir Ian Rankin.
The film had its world premiere at London’s Barbican Hall in June 2024 and has qualified for the BAFTA, BIFA & Academy® Awards 2026 after winning multiple awards on its festival run, including Best Documentary Short at Flickerfest, Bolton & This Is England Film Festival.
AWARDS & FESTIVALS
Winner – Flickerfest Film Festival, Best Documentary Short (Academy® Award Qualifying)
Winner – Bolton Film Festival, Best Documentary
Winner – This Is England Film Festival, Best Documentary
Winner – Unrestricted View Film Festival, Best Documentary Short
Nominee – Kinsale Shark Awards, Best Documentary & Best Cinematography
Longlist – British Short Film Awards, Best Score
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, USA
British Shorts Berlin, Germany
PÖFF Shorts, Estonia
Flickers’ Rhode Island Film Festival, USA
Doc’n Roll Film Festival, UK
Aerial Festival, UK
CREDITS
Directed, Produced & Cinematography by Christian Cargill
Produced by John Bannister
Edited by Kevin Corry
Edit Produced by Daniel Breheny at The Assembly Rooms
Music by Erland Cooper
Colour by Max Ferguson-Hook at CRAYON
Sound Design & Mix by Guy Chase
Sound by Christian Cargill
Title Design by Jon Evans
A Dalmatian Films Production
