Sound Mirror

Step back in time to an era before radar reigned supreme, when the shores of Great Britain were guarded by silent sentinels known as acoustic mirrors. These remarkable structures, including the iconic monuments still standing proudly at Denge on the Dungeness peninsula, were the first line of defence against the roar of enemy aircraft engines approaching from the European mainland.

Operating on the cutting edge of technology, the Sound Mirrors harnessed the power of their curved surfaces to concentrate sound waves, capturing the faintest echoes of impending danger. Trained operators, equipped with state-of-the-art stethoscopes, stood vigil near these mirrors, deciphering the complex symphony of sound with precision and skill.

In "Sound Mirror," we invite you to witness the silent testimony of these abandoned structures as they loom over the tranquil waters of the Greatstone Lakes. Shot on evocative Super 8mm film and digitally edited, our documentary pays homage to the past while embracing the present. Through immersive audio captured on location using a Zoom field recorder, we transport you to the heart of the Dungeness Nature Reserve, where the echoes of wildlife mingle with the memories of wartime vigilance.

Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the intersection of history and nature, weaving together the threads of the past and present in an evocative audio-visual tapestry. "Sound Mirror" offers a glimpse into the foreboding past of these remarkable structures, while celebrating the enduring beauty of their surroundings.

Project - Phase 1

The Sound Mirrors: Echoes of an Era Before Radar

Before the advent of radar and World War II, Britain’s coastal defences relied on a remarkable feat of early acoustic engineering—the Sound Mirrors. Built along the coastline, these vast concrete structures were designed to detect the distant hum of enemy aircraft approaching from mainland Europe, offering a vital early warning system.

The Sound Mirrors worked by capturing and concentrating sound waves with their curved surfaces, channeling them toward a microphone or a trained listener equipped with specialised stethoscopes. Operators, skilled in the art of sound identification, would listen intently for telltale engine noises—an incredibly demanding task that required such intense focus they could only sustain it for about 40 minutes at a time.

Though ultimately rendered obsolete by the invention of radar, these hauntingly beautiful structures remain as striking reminders of a time when war was listened for before it was seen. The most famous examples still stand at Denge on the Dungeness peninsula, silent sentinels of a bygone era.

A Journey to the Sound Mirrors

One spring weekend in 2023, filmmaker Heena Song and I set off on a journey from London to the Kent coast. With our bikes loaded with a small tent, camping gear, and my trusty Super 8mm camera, along with a couple of cartridges of Kodak Vision 3 200T film, we boarded a train to Folkestone.

Upon arrival, we cycled westward along the coast toward Dungeness, stopping in New Romney to gather provisions before setting up camp near Lydd. The night was peaceful, and at dawn, we packed up and rode the final stretch to the legendary Sound Mirrors.

Nestled behind the coastal village of Greatstone, the largest of the Sound Mirrors—a towering 61-meter-wide, 7.9-meter-high concave concrete wall—emerged from the mist above the lake. It was a breathtaking sight. From a vantage point on a man-made bunker tunnel, we set up our camera, capturing the scene in a time-lapse as the rising sun burned through the fog, casting warmth over the landscape.

Drawn in by the surreal atmosphere, we followed the pebbled footpath closer to the site. As we approached, the other Sound Mirrors gradually revealed themselves—weathered, dome-like structures rising from the overgrown terrain like ancient megaliths, standing silent and resolute against time.