A celebration of the creativity that came out of one small suburban house in Bristol, home to eight musicians and four rescue chickens during the first few months of lockdown 2020.

Review by Lillian Todd-Jones

In an unassuming semi somewhere in Bristol live the noisy neighbours you wish you had. Musician and filmmaker Tamsin Elliott invites us in for the 40-minute music documentary From the Coop, to meet eight musicians (and four rescue hens) cooped up together during the UK-wide lockdown.

As you get to know the members of this unusual household the emotional journey of lockdown is paired with an eclectic set of musical performances. At times it is quietly devastating, as the housemates reflect on the families they miss and the opportunities they’ve lost. But from this comes extraordinary creativity, whimsical fun, and an appreciation of the profound in the mundane. The film opens with co-producer Sid Goldsmith performing ‘The Joy of Living’ amongst the house’s 4 rescue chickens. It reminds us to savour every day: and as Atilla the hen and company scratch around the microphone stand, you can’t help but feel there is joy to be found even in lockdown… at least we aren’t all stuck in a battery farm.  

Music is at the very heart of this household, and of this film. The sumptuous recording quality and tight performances will have you tapping your foot to guitars, accordions, and a bunch of instruments you didn’t even know existed. Paired with the intimate ‘hand-held’ filming style, From the Coop feels like an invite onto the comfy end of the sofa. Despite the obvious constraints of lockdown the visuals are varied and give a real sense of place. Thanks to creative camera work every room of the house is oozing with atmosphere and has a story to tell. Even the toilet.

Get out your best pair of headphones to immerse yourself in this gentle, intimate and truly optimistic journey. From the Coop captures the spirit of lockdown, but will take you far beyond the confined garden fences and patios of suburban Bristol.

And don’t worry, I haven’t been 1% as productive as this lot on lockdown either.  

View FROM THE COOP - A Solanum Films Production here

Directed by Tamsin Elliott www.tamsinelliott.co.uk
Produced by Tamsin Elliott and Sid Goldsmith
Audio production by Sid Goldsmith

Many hours were spent shooting and editing this film, all for free. If you enjoyed it and would like to support theose involved to continue making art, you can donate via this paypal link. Your donation will be hugely valued and gratefully received www.paypal.me/tamsinelliott

Also please check out and follow the artists´ own projects and support them if you can!

Rowan Elliott: www.solanamusica.co.uk
Elio Arauz de Marcos: www.facebook.com/theglobocollective
Sid Goldsmith: www.facebook.com/sidgoldsmith
Bethany M. Roberts: www.facebook.com/bethanymrobertsmusic
Thomas Hodson: www.thomashodsonmusic.com
Leeem: www.facebook.com/Leeem.music
Anonymous They: www.facebook.com/anonymousthey
Tamsin Elliott: www.facebook.com/tamsinsolanum