Venice, Italy – At the Lido of the Venice Film Festival, sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara stepped onto the red carpet to present Werner Herzog’s latest film, Bucking Fastard. The sisters play fictional twins Jean and Joan Holbrooke, a pair who literally and spiritually journey together while speaking in perfect unison.
From concept to screen
Herzog first encountered a real-life duo of twins who spoke in unison 45 years ago – Greta and Freda Chaplin, a British pair who captured tabloid attention in the 1980s. Inspired by that story, Herzog imagined a similar dynamic but with the Mara sisters, writing the script in just five days.
“At first it was very daunting, the idea that we were going to be playing the same person,” Rooney Mara said. “But we quickly found that our lifelong bond and shared history gave us an unspoken world between us.” The sisters added that the experience felt musical and natural, with Kate noting, “It was very musical, it happened quite naturally.”
Production notes
Herzog trimmed the planned two‑week rehearsal period to five days after seeing how quickly the sisters adapted. He also welcomed Orlando Bloom, who portrays the object of both sisters’ affections, praising Bloom for stepping beyond his teen‑heartthrob image.
“The heartthrob for the teenies,” Herzog joked, “and now you are the bucking fastard.” Bloom described Herzog’s set as a “sacred space for magic to happen” and called the festival appearance “the pinnacle of any actor’s career.”
Dedication and future plans
Herzog dedicated the film to the late filmmaker David Lynch, expressing a wish that Lynch could have been the first audience member. While the film has no U.S. release date announced, its premiere at Venice signals a strong start for a project that blends experimental storytelling with familial intimacy.
“We had a deep, deep understanding of each other’s work, although we were quite different,” Herzog said, reflecting on his collaboration with Lynch. “I wish we could turn the wheel of time back and invite him tonight. But it doesn’t happen like this.”
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
