Herzog's Venice Premiere of 'Bucking Fastard' Moves Director to Tears
Werner Herzog's film 'Bucking Fastard' premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning a six-and-a-half-minute standing ovation that left the director emotional. The story follows sisters Jean and Joan, played by real-life siblings Rooney and Kate Mara, who speak in unison, share dreams, and love the same man, portrayed by Orlando Bloom. Kate Mara noted the script initially called for identical twins but was changed to sisters, and she described the Ireland-shot film as "quite beautiful and very unusual."
The film’s plot centers on sisters Jean and Joan, portrayed by real-life siblings Rooney and Kate Mara, who share an unusually deep connection—speaking in unison, loving the same man, and even sharing dreams. Their characters become tabloid sensations while digging a tunnel through a mountain range in search of an imaginary land where true love exists. Orlando Bloom plays their shared love interest, with Domhnall Gleeson as a social worker attempting to guide them toward modern life.
During the press conference, the Maras described their natural synchronicity as rooted in a shared childhood, making the experience effortless and joyful. Herzog noted he skipped his customary two-week rehearsal period, trusting the sisters’ instinctive chemistry after just five days. The film was shot in Ireland, with HanWay Films managing worldwide sales.
This premiere may reinforce the cultural weight of Venice as a launchpad for unconventional auteur cinema, potentially boosting the film’s international distribution prospects. The casting of real-life siblings could resonate with audiences drawn to authentic on-screen chemistry, while the story’s themes of intense familial bonds and escape from modern pressures may spark conversations about non-traditional relationships. Herzog’s emotional response could also humanize the legendary director for broader audiences, though the film’s niche appeal may limit its mainstream cultural footprint.