Film Review: Delaware Shore

Raghav Peri's feature length Directorial debut Delaware Shore, is first and foremost an ambitious project that goes deeply into the heart & mind of its characters.

The film tells the story of Holocaust survivor Agnes, who escaped the concentration camps and found refuge on a secluded Delaware Beach, where she raises her abandoned twin grandchildren Tasha and Gallagher. Her war experiences have made her incapable of showing affection but through obligation, she does the bare minimum to raise these kids. Despite the family atmosphere, Tasha grows up to be a bright, talented poet and Gallagher is a deeply sensitive glass half-full optimist. However, Tasha and Gall both struggle to find the affection they miss at home and unforeseen life changing consequences.

Gail Wagner, James Robinson Jr. and Emily Mckinley Hill

While the film feels raw at some points, the story grabs the viewer's full attention, with real-life conflicts of a grandmother who is functioning as a single parent and feels that she's losing control over her grandchildren. The plot adds several complications to the grandchildren's sub-stories, which adds interest and connects the viewer to the entire family.

Peri has the guts to tackle issues that others would prefer to avoid, such as the holocaust (and the horrible memories of a survivor) homosexuality and violence (including rape and murder). The characters will have to deal with their inner demons and their past in order to move on in life, and they will have to be courageous, just like their director.

Behind the Scenes

Peri's decision to go all the way with his truth is admirable. With a low budget and a lot of heart and passion, this promising director made a full length drama that offers all kinds of emotions- love, hate, happiness, sadness, regret and forgiveness.

Any indie filmmaker knows what it takes to make a low budget film, let alone a first-time feature film. It's hard not no give up on your dream, and it takes a huge amount of passion, discipline and consistency, and Peri definitely has these qualities.

We can't wait to see what's coming next for him.

Gail Wagner and Ed Aristone

Behind the Scenes

Delaware Shore won 4 awards at the New York Film Awards, including Best Drama, Best Inspirational Film, Best First Time Director (Raghav Peri) and Best Editing (David Scott Titus). It was also nominated for Best Picture award as a finalist (February 2018).

Gail Wagner and Ed Aristone

'Delaware Shore' Theatrical Run Begins on Dec. 21 in LA and Dec. 28 in NY.

Press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delaware-shore-theatrical-run-begins-on-dec-21-in-la-and-dec-28-in-ny-300747992.html

Delaware Shore on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DelawareShoreMovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DelawareShore

James Robinson Jr. as Gallagher

About the director:

Raghav Peri was born and raised in Hyderabad, India. He has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from JNTU, Hyderabad. He comes from a place where movies are the biggest form of entertainment and stars in the films are celebrated as demigods. It came natural to him to fall in love with Cinema. Though he works in IT, his real love & passion has always been cinema since childhood.

He has made a lot of short films back in India before moving to USA on work in 2013 and lives in New Jersey now. His maiden film project in USA called “Bar Study” won him few awards at film festivals and played in different cities across USA, Russia and India. He assisted few Directors on feature films and web-series before moving onto his feature length Directorial debut film “Delaware Shore”.