Song of the Sea

The story begins in 1981 on a remote Irish island and spans into the mid-1980s, with key events around 1987. Rural life is depicted alongside enduring folklore, as the sea and seasonal rites frame the characters' experiences. The period blends a historical rural atmosphere with timeless myth, underscoring the tension between human loss and magical memory.

A remote, wind-swept island off Ireland's north-west coast is dominated by a lighthouse and rugged seascapes. Daily life is shaped by the sea, tight-knit family bonds, and the harsh weather that tests resilience. When the mother vanishes, the family later relocates to the Dublin mainland, but the island and its lighthouse remain central to memory and identity.

💞 Family

The film centers on a fragile family and the bonds that hold it together amid loss and separation. Bronagh's absence and Saoirse's selkie identity strain the father Conor and Ben, forcing them to navigate rivalry, care, and forgiveness. Saoirse's dual nature tests where belonging truly lies and whether love can bridge two worlds. The narrative uses magical events to explore responsibility, reconciliation, and the pull of home.

😢 Grief

Grief permeates every corner of the story, from the mother's disappearance to the siblings' fear of losing one another. The sea and weather mirror inner sadness, while memories of Bronagh guide the family forward. The magical beings' petrification in Macha's realm serves as a visual metaphor for emotional numbness. Healing comes as characters acknowledge pain and choose to care for one another.

🌊 Folklore

The sea-born selkie myth drives the plot, with Saoirse's coat enabling a crossing between land and water worlds. Folklore bleeds into everyday life, giving shape to magical beings, witches, and ancient storytelling. The Great Seanachaí's tales reveal history and help the children understand their own feelings. The film treats myth as a living force that can heal or petrify, depending on human compassion.