Sounds of the Somme

Sound of the Somme tells the true story of private James C. Richardson, a 20-year-old bagpiper serving in the 16th Canadian Scottish Battalion. Despite being assigned to stay behind as stretcher bearer, James is determined to play his bagpipes in the heat of the battle. His unwavering resolve to support his comrades and boost morale leads him to defy orders, risking his life to bring a glimmer of hope amidst the horrors of war. This heroic act earned James the Victoria Cross, the highest honor within the British Commonwealth.

SHORT | 12:35

Director Biography - Michaël Vermaercke

Michaël was raised in an entrepreneurial family, studied to make a career in the financial sector, but eventually a burning desire to work in the film industry prevailed.

Since 2014, Michaël has been working on corporate & branded content projects on a self-employed basis for companies like Coca Cola, Bobbejaanland, DPG Media, CM, Belfius, the Flemish Government, etc. In terms of fiction projects, he directed several short films that were shown at both national and international film festivals. In 2018, his first full-length film Memento Mori was released, a low budget horror film which premiered at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) and won the Innocent Award in Germany for best independent film of the year.