Two Coastal Mysteries: Simón's 'Romería' and Jenkin's 'Rose of Nevada'

Two complementary films, 'Romería' by Carla Simón and 'Rose of Nevada' by Mark Jenkin, have been released in American theaters, forming a midsummer double bill centered on coastal settings and mysteries. 'Romería' is set in Vigo, Spain, and follows eighteen-year-old Marina (Llúcia Garcia), who travels to meet her biological father's family to secure a scholarship for university. The semi-autobiographical film explores hidden identities, addiction, and AIDS, culminating in a flashback to the 1980s where Marina's parents are portrayed by Garcia and Mitch Martín. Simón's film is a pilgrimage of self-discovery. 'Rose of Nevada' takes place in a Cornish village where a fishing boat, lost in 1993, reappears. The boat's owner Mike (Edward Rowe) puts it back to sea with crew Liam (Callum Turner) and Nick (George MacKay), who find themselves transported to August 1993. Jenkin shot the film with a spring-wound 16-mm Bolex camera, creating a grainy, rhythmic aesthetic. The film blends supernatural elements with realistic depictions of fishing labor, exploring themes of time, loss, and identity. Both films were reviewed in The New Yorker.