Martin Ward is a cove fisherman, without a boat. His brother Steven has repurposed their father’s vessel as a tourist tripper, driving a wedge between the brothers. With their childhood home now a getaway for London money, Martin is displaced to the estate above the picturesque harbour. As his struggle to restore the family to their traditional place creates increasing friction with tourists and locals alike, a tragedy at the heart of the family changes his world.
Cinematography
Hand-processed 16mm black-and-white; every frame looks like found footage from 1973.
Editing
Aggressive jump cuts and sound design that weaponizes silence.
Direction
Jenkin made this for practically nothing and it haunts harder than most Oscar bait.
Director
Mark Jenkin
Edward Rowe
Martin Ward
Mary Woodvine
Sandra Leigh
Giles King
Steven Ward
Simon Shepherd
Tim Leigh
Chloe Endean
Wenna Kowalski
Janet Thirlaway
Mrs. Peters
Isaac Woodvine
Neil Ward
Martin Ellis
Billy Ward
Jowan Jacobs
Hugo Leigh
Georgia Ellery
Katie Leigh
Stacey Guthrie
Liz Stewart
Morgan Val Baker
Husband
Tristan Sturrock
Brian Rikard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jenkin developed the film for three years while working as a taxi driver and shot it with a 1970s Bolex, processing the film in his kitchen with vitamin C and coffee.
The 'second home' crisis in Cornwall became so heated after this film's release that locals began direct action against Airbnb properties; Martin Ward became an accidental folk hero.
GB
