Mark Jenkin’s New Folk Horror Movie Could Be This Year’s ‘Wickerman’ [Cannes Exclusive]
Nova K. Williams
2 min read
As the land we now know as Britain was overrun, the Celts were pushed to the periphery, into places like Cornwall or Wales. This is evident when you hear the idiosyncratic and distinct Welsh or Cornish languages spoken. Why are you being given this mini history lesson? Because looking at the title of To mark Jenkinsthe new movie from, you wouldn’t assume that”Enys Menwas “mane” – Cornish for “island of stone”.
“Enys Men”, which has just been announced as acquired by NEON for North America, and first in the Directors’ Fortnight part of the Cannes film festival, is set in 1973 on an abandoned island off the coast of Cornwall, where a wildlife volunteer’s daily sightings (of a rare flower) turn into a metaphysical journey that forces her to question what which is real and which is a nightmare. The film is said to be inspired by At Robin Hardy’s “wicker“, Nicholas Roeg “Don’t look now,and “by Sam Peckinpah”straw dogs.” Today, we have the pleasure to exclusively reveal the new poster for the film, which you can see below.
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Jenkin was born in Cornwall, so it’s no surprise that not only is his production company based there, but his home influences his work. Jenkin explains that the film began at an ancient Cornish site called The Merry Maidens Stone Circle in its director’s statement.
The Merry Maidens Stone Circle was not far from her grandmother’s house in West Penwith. Legend has it that the 19 stones were the petrified remains of a group of girls punished for dancing to the music of the Pipers on a Sunday, who were also turned into stone. These stones and Jenkin’s experiences visiting the site sparked questions and then inspiration. “Enys Men” explores religion, horticulture, birth, death, and fits into the ever-super-scary folk horror genre.
movie stars John Woodvin, Mary Woodvine, and Edward Rowe. As he did on his acclaimed film “BaitJenkin also writes, directs and acts as a cinematographer, sound designer and composer. Shot on a 16mm color negative using a mechanical 1970s Bolex camera and post-sync sound, it all surely adds up to a film that probably looks like a 1970s horror movie. Check out the new poster of “Enys Men” exclusively below.
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