A NEW Cornish language short film will feature scenes from Bodmin, as it tells the story of Private Gerren Pascoe.
Trengellick Rising will be a Cornish language film set in the 1700s.
Filming is due to start in the latter half of April and it will be one of the first of its kind to use the language in its recent revival. It aims to bolster the Cornish language’s resurgence and positively contribute to Cornwall’s rich heritage.
Written and directed by Guy Potter – who previously worked with Steven Spielberg on ‘Ready Player One’ – the film is a story of redemption, self-discovery and revenge.
Sentenced for a crime without trial, Pte Pascoe is exiled to a remote outpost in Cornwall to report on the movements of enemy ships.
Isolated and alone, with only a surly and unhinged superior for company, Pte Pascoe slowly descends with his overseer into a maelstrom of chaos, debauchery and fear.
The lines between right and wrong soon become blurred – as does the reality of why they’re really there.
Using unusual filming techniques, Guy hopes to contribute to the revival of the Cornish language.
He said: “Trengellick Rising is a story of redemption, self-discovery and revenge. It’s gritty, raw and rough around the edges.
“To help convey this visually, we’ll be shooting on film – black and white 16mm – and hand-processing the negative.
“It’s a Cornish language film, it’ll be in Kernewek – one of the first of its kind to use the language in its recent revival.
“The film takes visual inspiration from silent films of the 1920s, though we will be using sound.
“To help the audience with the language, we’ll be using early cinema techniques, such as subtitles and title cards to help the audience out.
“We’re hoping to not only contribute to the revival of celluloid, but also of the Cornish language.”
Ruggedness
He added: “With production help from the Sundance Institute, we’re hoping to make a worthwhile film that positively effects and shines a light on Cornwall’s rich heritage.”
Guy said he had chosen to feature areas near Bodmin, including Jamaica Inn, Rough Tor and Colliford Lake, as well as those near Welcombe and towards Hartland, because their natural ruggedness would further enhance the story he was trying to tell.
He said: “We’re making this film to really bolster and reflect Cornwall’s rich salt-of-the-earth heritage.
“It’s why we’re using the Cornish language but also why we’re featuring such extraordinary locations.
“We’re shooting on Bodmin Moor, on the Smugglers’ Way, and on the Hartland coast, to really capture some of Cornwall’s must rugged scenery, and to have a positive effect on the revival of the Cornish language.”
Trengellick Rising is receiving production help from the Sundance Institute, through its ‘Sundance Collab’ initiative.
Production was delayed by COVID-19 but the film is back on track and is looking to raise funds for its completion.
Guy added: “The coronavirus pandemic has definitely brought some challenges. It has delayed production by a year already, but luckily, thanks to the help of Sundance, it’s reaching the point of no return. The fuse has been lit, so to speak.”
The budget for the film is £4,500, with the majority of funds coming from the Kickstarter campaign, which launched on March 1.
To donate, visit www.
kickstarter.com/projects/
guypotter/trengellick-rising-a-cornish-language-short-film