The South West is being offered an early chance to see Mark Jenkin’s ENYS MEN, while picking up some insights into his distinctive style, Cornish culture and its language at the same time. Not due for UK-wide release until the 13th January, BFI is teaming up with Film Hub South West and producer Denzil Monk of Bosena to put on a series of advance screenings in Cornwall, Devon and Bristol, with Mark Jenkin in attendance at each for a Q&A.
ENYS MEN is Jenkin’s folk horror follow-up to his internationally acclaimed and BAFTA-winning box office hit BAIT – similarly shot in and around his home base in West Penwith, with an entirely Cornish crew, and again starring Mary Woodvine (Poldark, Judge John Deed, Doc Martin) and Edward ‘Kernow King’ Rowe (The Witcher, House of the Dragon).
Kernewek, the Cornish language, is an essential element in the film including in an original song written by Mercury Prize 2022 nominee Gwenno. To highlight this, in what is believed to be a feature film promotional first, bilingual Cornish/English posters are being produced.
It is the plot, though, which most strongly reflects Cornwall – a mind-bending story, set in 1973 and centred on a wildlife volunteer whose daily observations of a strange flower on a lonely island take a dark turn, involving miners, bal maidens, a boat wreck and a Bronze Age menhir, forcing both her and viewers to question what is real and what is nightmare.
Producer Denzil Monk says: “As with BAIT, Mark has shot ENYS MEN on 16mm film using his 1970s Bolex H16 camera, but this time it’s in colour. We’re very happy to be creating the bilingual poster. This is a Cornish production through and through and a celebration of Cornwall’s rich folklore, its tin and copper mining heritage, relationship with the sea and stunning natural beauty.”
Dates of ENYS MEN’s first South West previews + Q&As are:
· Monday 2 January (7.30pm): Newlyn Filmhouse
· Tuesday 3 January: (7.30pm): Savoy Cinema, Penzance
· Wednesday 4 January (5.45pm) Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay
· Wednesday 4 January (8.30pm) Plaza Cinema, Truro
· Thursday 5 January (5.45pm), Capitol Cinema, Bodmin
· Thursday 5 January (8.30pm) Regal Cinema, Wadebridge
· Friday 6 January (6.30pm) Picturehouse, Exeter
· Saturday 7 January (5.30pm) Watershed, Bristol
In addition, there will be extra SW screenings and Q&As with Mark Jenkin and, where possible, members of his cast and the production team as follows:
· Wednesday 18 January (7.30pm) Regal Cinema, Redruth
· Thursday 19 January (7.30pm) The Poly, Falmouth
· Friday 20 January (8pm) White River Cinema, St Austell
Tickets are available direct from the cinema.
