Director Mark Jenkin Performs Live Soundtrack for His Film "Rose of Nevada"

Mark Jenkin, the director of the 2025 film *Rose of Nevada*, has begun performing a live soundtrack during screenings of the movie to deepen the emotional impact for audiences. The film follows two young men, played by Callum Turner and George MacKay, who join the crew of a mysterious fishing trawler that inexplicably returns to a Cornish harbour.

Jenkin and his musical partner Dion Star, operating under The Cornish Sound Unit, create the score on stage using a mix of improvised and composed pieces. Their toolkit includes tape machines, synthesizers, guitars and field recordings. Each performance is unique; the music can shift in response to the audience’s reactions, making every showing a distinct experience.

Music critic Mark Kermode praised the approach, noting that watching the film with a live score “adds another dimension” and feels “fantastic” because the music is created in front of the viewer. Jenkin himself says the live element allows the soundtrack to evolve, “reimagining” it each time so it never sounds exactly the same.

The practice harks back to early cinema, when live pianists accompanied silent films. Jenkin sees it as a return to cinema’s roots, offering a theatrical feel that he prefers over the conventional “movie theatre” label.

*Rose of Nevada* premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and was shot in Hayle and Mullion, Cornwall. Jenkin, a Newlyn native, previously won a BAFTA for his debut film *Bait* (2020) and has worked on other Cornish stories such as *Enys Men*.

The live soundtrack is still in its early stages; screenings are limited and the exact schedule varies. Viewers can verify the announcement by checking the film’s official website or reputable news outlets covering the event.