Edward Brooke-Hitching, whose film The Really Terrible Orchestra scooped the Scottish short documentary award at EIFF 2006, has turned his attention to a much more serious subject this year suicides at Beachy Head.
Rather than just talking about the fact that each year 38 people pitch themselves off the top of this beauty spot, however, Brooke-Hitching has found a human angle which gives his film much more of an emotional impact.
Keith Lane is The Watchman of the film's title. A man who, after losing his wife to the deadly draw of the cliffs decided to patrol them twice a day and try to talk down other would-be jumpers. This is truly what might be termed a magnificent obsession and Brooke-Hitching explores it with sensitivity. He lets Keith talk about his experiences and inter-cuts this footage with shots of the cliffs, capturing both their beauty and their immensity well. A careful study of one man's 'mission' and the sort of documentary that restores your faith in humanity.