Filmmaker Overcomes 20-Year Funding Hurdle to Complete Acclaimed Venice Title

Cornish writer-director Mark Jenkin has cultivated a devoted following with his unique brand of elusive, analog filmmaking. His latest feature, 'Rose of Nevada', is set to premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival's Orizzonti competition.

The film, which focuses on a forgotten fishing village where a lost boat mysteriously reappears, has been 20 years in the making due to a lack of funding, according to director Jenkin. Actors Callum Turner and George MacKay, who lead the beguiling picture, describe it as a "painting meets a poem" that is "terrifyingly clever" with strong horror notes.

Jenkin's dedication to shooting on 16mm film using a Bolex camera creates a rich, textured finish that adds to the film's haunting and complex structure. This analog process also presented unique challenges for the cast, who had to adapt to the camera's mechanical restrictions, including limited takes and the need to perform all sound effects in post-production.

Despite the technical hurdles, Turner and MacKay were drawn to Jenkin's artistic vision and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the film's poetic, visceral world. 'Rose of Nevada' is Jenkin's most ambitious production to date, featuring elaborate sequences performed in harsh conditions.