Director Andrew Kotting’s 1996 film GALLIVANT is an entertaining idiosyncratic travelogue chronicling an oddball adventure in Britain’s coastal towns. The film follows Kotting’s own journey around the coast of Britain, accompanied by his 85 year old grandmother Gladys and his 7 year old daughter Eden. Along the way, their expedition leads them to encounter some weird and wonderful sights and townsfolk, including a gurning granny and Britain’s nicest toilet. However, these strange scenic peculiarities act only as side shows to the central theme: the importance of family.

The film follows no real narrative structure, instead using visual tricks and inventive editing techniques to offer a surreal take on the road movie, shown from the perspective of three generations of the family. Kotting’s companions, the adorable Eden who has Joubert syndrome, and her loveable “big granny”, are entertaining and watchable from the very beginning. Their delightful antics give the film its soul and allow the proceedings a relatable touch. The constant crackling of the super 8 film coupled with the sound of the ocean wind lends the film a home video feel, and provides a sense of being there by the sea with Kotting and his family.

The film offers a nostalgic view of Britain’s past, cutting in clips which portray forgotten traditions and a past which, much like Britain’s coastline, is slowly being lost. The film also presents the effect technology is having on a fast evolving world, and depicts an impending and uncertain future. This theme is mirrored by Kottings fragile family, a point made all the more poignant watching the film almost 20 years on. GALLIVANT is a unique documentary, a melting pot of themes and ideas ranging from the ludicrous to the touching. Kotting combines a variety of techniques and styles and blends heart, humour and education to a film bursting with personality and charm.

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