Midlands Review of A Sort of Burial
midlandsmovies • August 27, 2019
Midlands Review of A Sort of Burial
Midlands Review - A Sort of Burial
Directed by Lee Charlish
2019
Korky Films
'A Sort of Burial' is another film from the prolific Korky Films, purveyors of twisted animations and macabre humour. While this is arguably their most wholesome and heart-warming film, the subject matter is still deliciously morbid and irreverently tongue-in-cheek.
It's time to say goodbye to Basil, as siblings Alistair and Carla gather by his graveside with a bloke named Harry to pay their... respects? It's all rather perfunctory, as it's clear Alistair would rather not be there and Harry keeps cracking wise in a most disrespectful way, much to Carla's annoyance.
She's trying to mourn over here! The Vicar can barely get a word in with all the snide comments and feeble puns, but when he is heard it becomes obvious this is no typical funeral...
Not much more can be said about the story without spoiling the twist, though to be honest you're likely to get it almost immediately as it seems to be made fairly obvious from the start. That didn't spoil my enjoyment of the film at all, though, as the tone was spot on and lovingly cheeky. It's a little reminiscent of Death at a Funeral, which is by no means a bad thing!
The actors also do a great job, especially Marian Elizabeth as Carla, who struggles to keep the proceedings appropriately sombre.
There's something a little uncanny in how the film is shot that distracts a little. Perhaps it's the equipment used, or the lighting, but the scenes seem visually off, oddly flat. The framing of the burial scene is also subtly weird and off-putting; the reliance on close-ups makes it seem like the Vicar isn't in the same place as the mourners, even though they share a shot at the beginning of the scene.
Despite these distractions and the sensitive subject matter, this is a fun, cheeky little film, and the dedication at the end caps it off with a lovely warm fuzzy glow. This is one funeral that's sure to leave you with a smile on your face long past the service and well into the wake.
Sam Kurd
Twitter @splend
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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