Film, Audience Development — Torbay Culture

Agatha Swims the English Riviera

A fierce surfer and a sea swimmer — the Agatha Christie you haven’t yet met

Canny Marshall was commissioned to develop a series of short films exploring the English Riviera’s heritage. The first film features the English Riviera’s most famous author and her passion for swimming in Torbay’s naturally inspiring environment.

As part of Torbay Culture’s Recovery Fund work, Canny Marshall was commissioned to produce a new short film looking at local heritage from different perspectives. This first film celebrates Agatha Christie’s passion for swimming and the natural environment, exploring some of her favourite swimming places — Anstey’s Cove, Beacon Cove, Meadfoot Beach and Elberry Cove — and at Greenway, her summer home now in the care of the National Trust.

This literary, visual and natural heritage link to the English Riviera — designated by UNESCO as a Global Geopark — was created by a team of local talent.

The film premiered on 16 September 2021 at Torre Abbey as part of the International Agatha Christie Festival and was a sell-out, so a few additional places were released by the festival. ‘Agatha Swims’ was also awarded ‘Director’s Choice’ at the English Riviera Film Festival 2021.