From en.wikipedia.org:
[2025 film by Ben Rivers] [date=July 2025] {{Infobox film | name = Mare's Nest
| image = Mare's Nest.jpeg | alt = | caption = Teaser poster | native_name = |
director = Ben Rivers | producer = {{Plainlist|
- Andrea Queralt
- Ben Rivers
}} | screenplay = Ben Rivers | based_on = [_The Word for Snow_] | starring =
{{Plainlist|
- Moon Guo Barker
}} | music = | cinematography = {{Plainlist|
- Ben Rivers
- Carmen Pellon
}} | editing = {{Plainlist|
- Armiliah Aripin
- Ben Rivers
}} | studio = {{Plainlist|
- Urth Films
- 4A4 Productions }}
| distributor = | released = [2025] | runtime = 98 minutes | country =
{{Plainlist|
- United Kingdom
- France
- Canada
}} | language = {{Plainlist|
- English
- Catalan
}} }}
_MARE'S NEST_ is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Ben Rivers. The
film based on one act play _The Word for Snow_ by Don DeLillo, combines
elements of fiction, documentary, poetic essay, and fable, and tells the story
of Moon, a young girl exploring a strange, adult-less world.[1][2]
An international co-production between the United Kingdom, France and Canada,
the film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August
2025, where it won the Pardo Verde.[3]
** Cast
- Moon Guo Barker as Moon
** Production
The director Ben Rivers, developed the idea of the film from “a growing sense
of dread” about the world future generations will inherit. It was initially
inspired by the impact of COVID-19 on children, along with Don DeLillo’s
climate-focused play _The Word for Snow_. He wrote the character of Moon
specifically for Moon Guo Barker, who is playing the protagonist Moon,
developing the narrative into a near-future road movie infused with "both
unease and a sense of wonder". Going by the director's affinity for layered
story-telling, the film features a film-within-the-film: his 2022 short _The
Minotaur_, which is portrayed as a work made by the children in the story.<ref
name="prod:cine"/>[4]
The film shot over three years across Menorca, Spain and the United Kingdom,
is produced by Ben Rivers through United Kingdom based company Urth Films in
collaboration with Queralt.<ref name="mn:variety"/>
** Release
_Mare's Nest_ had its World Premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9
August 2025, and competed for Golden Leopard.[5][6]
The film will be screened in Wavelengths section of the 2025 Toronto
International Film Festival on 10 September 2025 for its North American
Premiere.[7] It also made it to the Currents Selections of the 2025 New York
Film Festival, where it will have its United States Premiere in October
2025.[8]
Beijing-based Rediance acquired the world sales rights to the film.[9][10]
** Reception
Peter Bradshaw of _The Guardian_ rated the film four stars out of five, and
wrote, that the film evokes a dreamlike, strange atmosphere reminiscent of
"Pasolini’s Greek dramas", with children delivering haunting, otherworldly
dialogue. Bradshaw concluded the review that though the meaning of the film
may be elusive, the director’s "enigmatic style" commands attention.[11]
In his review at Locarno, Douglas Johnson of the International Cinephile
Society rated the film with 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote that _Mare’s Nest_
opens in chaos and closes with Moon’s serene smile, amid there is the decay,
art sparks moments of meaning, wonder, and intent."[12]
** Accolades
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" | Award !
scope="col" | Ceremony date ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" |
Recipient(s) ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref.
|- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| Locarno Film Festival | rowspan=2|16 August 2025 |
Golden Leopard | rowspan=2|_Mare's Nest_ | [Nominated] | align="center" | [13]
|- | Pardo Verde | [Won] | align="center" |[14] |}
** References
[reflist]
** External links
- [IMDb title]
- _Mare's Nest_ (see https://www.locarnofestival.ch/festival/program/film.html?fid=7b5ec694-e54f-4bb1-9bfc-51f3bdcfc896&l=en&eid=) at Locarno Film Festival
Category:2020s British films Category:2025 drama films Category:2025 films
Category:2020s English-language films Category:2020s French films
Category:British films based on plays Category:Films shot in Spain
Category:British drama films Category:French drama films Category:Canadian
drama films Category:2020s Canadian films