Tangvald’s emotional documentary retraces the mysterious deaths of her father and brother at sea
Blending personal memoir and maritime mystery, Ghosts of the Sea headlines the Gimli International Film Festival with a powerful story of family, shipwrecks and the search for truth.
Written, directed and researched by Virginia Tangvald—the daughter and sister of the late sailors featured in the film—Ghosts of the Sea screens July 23 and 26 as part of this year’s festival lineup.
The documentary follows Tangvald’s journey as she searches for answers about the mysterious death of her brother, Thomas, who died in a 2014 shipwreck, much like her father, Peter, did in 1991.
Featuring a variety of real-life characters who crossed paths with both Thomas and Peter, Ghosts of the Sea provides viewers with a candid look into Tangvald’s quest. “I don’t want to be lost the way you are lost,” she states—a line that encapsulates the film’s central theme.
She travels across the globe—Canada, France, French Guiana and Andorra among the stops—trying to understand the reasons behind Thomas’s “unnautical” trek, as described by his godmother.
The documentary uses actual newspaper articles, photographs, nautical logs and a television interview with Thomas to add authenticity and emotional depth.
The cinematography heightens the emotional weight of the narrative. B-roll footage, lighting and a carefully written script support the cast’s integrity. One notable artistic choice by Tangvald is the use of subtitles for francophone characters instead of dubbing, allowing viewers to hear the raw emotion in their original voices.
Ghosts of the Sea is ideal for anyone who enjoys solving puzzles. Stirring emotions of suspense, anger and sadness, the film invites viewers to draw their own conclusions through subtle foreshadowing, effectively casting them in the role of investigator alongside Tangvald. The thought-provoking themes remain engaging throughout the 97-minute runtime.
Although not forewarned, viewers should be advised that the film contains brief nudity, including several images of a woman’s bare breasts.
Ghosts of the Sea plays at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23 in the Asper Theatre at the Unitarian Church, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 in the Lady of the Lake Theatre. For tickets and a full list of GIFF programming, visit www.gimlifilm.com.
GIFF 2025 at a Glance
July 23–27
Gimli, Manitoba
Screenings at venues including:
• Asper Theatre, Unitarian Church
• Lady of the Lake Theatre
• Johnson Hall
• Gimli Theatre
Tickets available online at www.gimlifilm.com or at the GIFF box office
Featured Films:
A few of the 2025 lineup highlights:
• Ghosts of the Sea – July 23 at 9:30 a.m. (Asper Theatre)
July 26 at 4 p.m. (Lady of the Lake Theatre)
• Odd Fish – LGBTQ2SIA+ story set in Iceland
• Snow Leopard Sisters – Indigenous-led environmental documentary
• Becoming Air – short film documentary
• Best in Show – Canadian comedy throwback screening
