The mystery and the lure of Seattle’s Puget Sound has captivated visitors here for a long line of generations. Today, the waters are crossed by ferry, and there’s plenty of seaside space for an afternoon’s contemplation. There are even spots where one can go to eat a lunch in solitude, and have some time engaging with the sea, even in this populated city. When seals start to come into the area, it’s unsettling for anyone that hasn’t spent a lifetime by the sea. The uneasy sensation that the water can sometimes inspire, because of the depth of the human unconscious and its long relationship with water, has been attributed to many of the sea creatures in myth and folklore.
That’s the same sensation that the filmmakers of Willatuk decided to take advantage of. They created a fake documentary, about a legendary prehistoric sea monster here, and to give it credence, they built a complex back story. The film’s gotten some attention, too, at the local indie film festivals, and it might be enough to give it some sea legs. For now, the locals might know of Willatuk, but chances are that the guests in Seattle business hotels won’t come across it. And fortunately, perhaps, anyone spending time on the shores here won’t see sea monsters.