Wave (2017)
An Irish short film about a man who wakes from a coma speaking an entirely unknown language, baffling experts worldwide.
Wave - Movie Information
Wave - Plot
A man wakes from a coma speaking a fully formed but unrecognizable language baffling linguistic experts from around the globe.
Wave - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this inventive short film:
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Wave - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- TJ O'Grady-Peyton
- Benjamin Cleary
Main Cast
- TJ O'Grady-Peyton
- Jarvis Cocker
- Emmet Kirwan
- Tiny James
- Danny Kehoe
- Daniel Reardon
- Caoimhe O'Malley
- Barry John Kinsella
Writers
- Benjamin Cleary
Producers
- Rebecca Bourke
Wave - FAQs
What is Wave about?
Wave follows a man named Gasper Rubicon who wakes from a coma speaking a completely unknown, fully formed language. As linguistic experts worldwide scramble to decode it, the film explores themes of human connection, solidarity, and the way language — even an invented one — can bring people together.
Who directed the short film Wave?
Wave was co-directed by TJ O'Grady-Peyton and Benjamin Cleary. Cleary also wrote the screenplay. The pair are Irish filmmakers, and Cleary is perhaps best known for winning the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for Stutterer in 2016.
Who are the main actors in Wave?
The cast includes TJ O'Grady-Peyton as Gasper Rubicon, Jarvis Cocker as the Narrator, Emmet Kirwan as Frank, Tiny James as Leaf, Danny Kehoe as Huldvar, Daniel Reardon as the Doctor, Caoimhe O'Malley as Speech Therapist 1, and Barry John Kinsella as Speech Therapist 2.
Is Wave based on a true story?
No, Wave is an original fictional story. The premise — a man waking from a coma speaking an entirely invented language — is a creative conceit by writer Benjamin Cleary. While the film touches on real themes like language barriers and human solidarity, the story itself is entirely imagined.
How long is the short film Wave?
Wave has a runtime of 13 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief running time, it packs in a surprisingly rich and warm story about language, identity, and the unexpected ways people find common ground with one another.
What language does Gasper speak in Wave?
Gasper speaks a completely fictional, invented language that no one — not even the world's top linguistic experts — can identify or decode. The language was specially created for the film, and its mysterious, unrecognizable nature is central to the story's charm and its exploration of human connection.
What are films similar to Wave?
If Wave caught your eye, you might also enjoy Saltburn (2023), Wicked Little Letters (2024), and Feast (2014), among others. For short films with a similarly quirky, heartfelt tone, Doghead Tea (2014), Mr. Hat (2024), and Menuett (2019) are worth exploring.
When was Wave released?
Wave was released on April 21, 2017. It is an Irish production made by Assembly, written by Benjamin Cleary and co-directed by TJ O'Grady-Peyton and Benjamin Cleary. The film was shot by cinematographer Burschi Wojnar and edited by Nathan Nugent.
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