Behind the Scenes of the Black Country by the sea launch

We went along to the screening of a new short mockumentary film by Alex Billingham (which has been supported by Black Country Digital Firsts), to find out more about the film...

Welcome to Black Country by the Sea, a playful mock “tourist information” film that imagines a future where the waters have risen, humans are no longer in charge, and octopuses have taken over.

Styled after Telly Savalas’ cult 1981 short Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham, this tongue-in-cheek mockumentary invites our Octopus Overlords to watch humans in their “natural” habitat at their very own human reserve.

Filmed across multiple Black Country locations and the North Atlantic Ocean, including scenes at the Black Country Living Museum, the film combines humour, culture and climate themes in true Black Country style.

Created as part of Black Country Digital Firsts with support from Creative Black Country, The Space, and Ikon Galleries’ Slow Boat. Funded by Arts Council England.

This short film was made by Paul Stringer.

About the Artist: Alex Billingham is a multidisciplinary artist based in the Black Country. Alex's work spans performance, film and digital art, often exploring identity, environment and the future through humour and experimentation.

You can watch Black Country by the Sea here and find out more about Alex’s work here.