The turnout for Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada at the Newlyn Filmhouse couldn’t have been better. The movie was shown in the fishing town Newlyn, where Jenkin is from. The director took part in a Q&A after and knew almost every person there, with the director hailing the town as being the best in the world.
Fishing Is Deeply Rooted in Britain’s Identity
For centuries, fishing has had a huge role to play in Britain’s economy. The UK seafood industry supports jobs in coastal communities, and recreational angling is one of the most popular sports in Britain.
As the UK has 11,000 miles of coastline, fishing continues to connect people to the sea. Documentaries like Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch and BBC’s Fish Town also document the lives of harbour workers and trawlermen. The United Anglers Podcast is also very popular, with its discussions about carp fishing.
Even those who play online casino games will know what a big theme fishing is, with titles like Big Bass Splash and Fishin’ Frenzy: Lure ‘Em In. Titles like this showcase different species of fish, as well as buckets of chum, fishing lines and lures, showing the skill that comes with fishing and the different approaches that are required but in a fun and entertaining format.
Examples like this show how much of a part fishing has to play in our economy and how our fascination with it is stronger than ever before.
The Plot of Rose of Nevada
The plot for Rose of Nevada reflects the screening location of Cornwall quite well. The tale is about a Cornish fishing boat that somehow manages to slip through time, with reviews from the initial screening coming in as excellent.
The film has also since made an appearance in the magazine, Sight and Sound. Rose of Nevada was also shot entirely in Cornwall, in the harbour of Hayle, and in Mullion to the south. The fishing boat is actually a working vessel and was hired for the shoot.
When there was a break in the filming schedule, or during the day, people would take the boat out and do some fishing with it, showing how incredible the story is and how rooted it is in British culture.
This isn’t the first fishing epic that Jenkin has worked on either. He’s also done some work on his Bafta-winning movie, Bait. This movie examined the tensions that are present in the UK fishing sector, and movies like Emys Men, which is also set in England, reflect Jenkin’s love for the area of Cornwall.
Stories like Rose of Nevada show how the coast is more relevant than ever and how important the UK fishing industry is to the economy. Not only do movies like this help to bring attention to fishing, they also lean into a cultural shift, which is one of the reasons why the film is gaining so much appeal right now.
The movie, Rose of Nevada, is currently being shown at different cinemas, including the Showroom Workstation in Sheffield and Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds.
Story courtesy of Jonathon at Anglotopia
