About Bait

Bait, released in 2019, is an intriguing British drama film written and directed by Mark Jenkin. The story centers on Martin Ward (Edward Rowe), a Cornish fisherman, who is witnessing the gentrification of his village, with his brother using their childhood home to cater to tourists, causing Martin to clash with the locals and his family. The movie is an emotive exploration of social tension and resistance, capturing the conflict between tradition and modernity.

Making / Production

Mark Jenkin shot the film on a vintage 16mm camera, processing the film by hand to give Bait its distinctive, grainy aesthetic. The film's unique handmade quality and the use of sync sound add to its raw, authentic appeal. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing community in Cornwall, Bait offers an intense cinematic experience.

Actors

• Edward Rowe as Martin Ward: Edward gave a stirring performance as the protagonist struggling to assert his traditional way of life in face of rapid gentrification.
• Mary Woodvine as Sandra Leigh: Mary beautifully portrayed Sandra, a local woman caught in the midst of the escalating conflict.
• Isaac Woodvine as Hugo Leigh: As Sandra's son Hugo, Isaac represented the younger generation torn between tradition and change.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot entirely with a wind-up Bolex camera. This limited shots to just 26 seconds.
• Bait is shot in black and white, lending it an almost timeless quality.
• The entire film was uniquely processed by hand by the director, Mark Jenkin, in his studio in Newlyn.

Awards

Bait was well-received by critics and the audience alike, garnering numerous accolades. Among them was the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards.

Quotes

• "There ain't nothing for you here..." - Martin Ward
• "This. Our home. Everything's changed." - Sandra Leigh
• "You can't just do what you've always done. Not anymore." - Tim Leigh

Music, Soundtrack

Due to the stylized approach of the film, there is limited music and the soundtrack mainly features natural sounds. This sparse auditory backdrop adds to the film's raw, uncensored atmosphere and the sounds of the sea play an important role in setting the scene.