#davidzellner

[film-book]

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Film Review: SASQUATCH SUNSET (2024): David Zellner's Ambitious Film Scores Points for Taking Big Risks but is Not For Everyone https://film-book.com/film-review-sasquatch-sunset-2024-david-zellners-ambitious-film-scores-points-for-taking-big-risks-but-is-not-for-everyone/?feed_id=130923&_unique_id=662997562df4a

[doomonfilm]

Thoughts : Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014)

The Austin-born Zellner brothers have apparently been circling my radar for a while.  The Austin connection aside, I remember finding a score for a film by The Octopus Project on vinyl for cheap one day, and nabbed it.  Years later, after a screening of Damsel, I put two and two together that the soundtrack was for the Zellner brothers film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, and every since that moment of realization, I’ve had it on my radar to watch this film.

Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) is a 29-year old OL living and working in Tokyo.  She lives in solitude, accompanied only by her pet rabbit Bunzo and the treasures she collects on her adventures in isolation.  During an excursion into a cave, she finds a VHS copy of Fargo, and the only scene she is able to view is the scene where Steve Buscemi’s character buries a bag of money in Minnesota.  Convinced that the events she is watching are real, Kumiko takes on a conquistador mentality in hopes of discovering the treasure.  She attempts to steal a map of Minnesota from a library, and after a confrontation with her boss, Kumiko decides to move forward with the search for her ultimate treasure she discovered in Fargo.  With her former boss Sakagami’s (Nobuyuki Katsube) corporate card in hand, Kumiko leaves Bunzo on a train and boards a plane to Minneapolis, Minnesota in hopes of reaching Fargo to discover the hidden treasure.

The fact that Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is a recount of a story based on true events that were inspired by a recount of a story based on true events creates one of the oddest (yet subtle) meta-narrative structures I’ve ever encountered.  Setting the story in Tokyo adds the dissociative aspect that forces the viewer to search for connection (in this case, it’s the cultural gap played against the shared interest in Fargo), which further enriches the viewing experience.  A third layer of experience is added when the film fully kicks into the adventure portion of the film, going in on the conquistador and new world aspects, as well as the shared stories leading to the possibilities of true treasure aspect.

Having the inciting incident for the narrative of this film be based on a key aspect to another film is a very intriguing element to build your story around.  It’s impossible not to connect the films once Fargo is introduced, so when mirroring story elements present themselves, it evokes a unique emotional reaction based on our knowledge of how the events in Fargo played out.  In turn, the adventure becomes a roller-coaster of emotions as Kumiko navigates her way through a strange new world in hopes of discovering hidden riches.  The film provides one of the best meditations on the state of being that is loneliness, landing in the same company as films like Her or Jeremiah Johnson. 

The Zellner brothers utilize an extremely playful camera considering the sullen nature of the solitude it captures, often times punctuating a visual joke by stopping and allowing the character to return to the frame for the button of the joke.  The score provided by The Octopus Project punctuates each moment brilliantly, heightening the emotion connected to Kumiko’s mental state from scene to scene.  The vivid reds and oranges that emit from frames that involve Kumiko doing something for herself keep our spirits up as we partake in her adventure alongside her.

Rinko Kikuchi embraces both the reserved nature of person who chooses solitude with the bold determination of a conquistador, resulting in a strong, silent protagonist being pulled by emotional hopes.  Nobuyuki Katsube and his stern adherence to Japanese tradition stand in stark contrast to Kumiko’s uniqueness.  David Zellner’s kind-hearted police officer portrayal is an example of the kindness of strangers, and allows for an awkwardly funny cultural and gender gap experience.  Yumiko Hioki provides a brilliant voice-only portrayal of an overbearing mother whose ‘good’ intentions turn into the element that drives her own daughter further and further away.  Most of the additional characters play small, transitional roles, peppering in different shades of outgoing nature to further drive home Kumiko’s choice to remain alone.

Damsel is one of my favorites of 2018, and having now seen Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, I think it’s safe to say I’m a huge fan of the Zellner camp.  I can’t wait to see what the brothers have in store for the future.

[crefovi]

#DavidZellner #nathanzellner CEO-directors of the new film Damsel explain their trajectory in the #filmindustry #berlinale2018 @berlinale #Berlin (at Berlin Mitte)

[paramore-rk-life]

#Repost @robsfootsteps with @get_repost ・・・ JUST JARED: Robert Pattinson Suits Up for 'Damsel' Premiere! Robert Pattinson flashes a smirk as he hits the red carpet for the premiere of his new movie Damsel on Wednesday (June 13) at the ArcLight Hollywood Theater in Hollywood. The 32-year-old actor looked handsome in a charcoal-colored suit as he was joined at the premiere by his co-star Mia Wasikowska. Source: http://www.justjaredjr.com/2018/06/14/robert-pattinson-suits-up-for-damsel-premiere/ #robsessed #robpattinson #robertpattinson #robert #pattinson #damselmovie #damsel #zellnerbros #davidzellner #nathanzellner #western #comedy #moviepremiere #samuelalabaster #miawasikowska #arclighthollywoodtheater #redcarpet #redcarpetlook #diorhomme

[thomasluvjaymes]

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute showcases bold, independent storytelling at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, beginning with today’s announcement of feature films selected across all categories. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort, from January 18–28. LIZZIE Director: Craig William Macneill, Screenwriter:Bryce Kass, Producers: Naomi Despres, Liz Destro Official synopsis: Based on the 1892 murder of Lizzie Borden’s family in Fall River, MA, this tense psychological thriller lays bare the legend of Lizzie Borden to reveal the much more complex, poignant and truly terrifying woman within — and her intimate bond with the family’s young Irish housemaid, Bridget Sullivan. Cast: #ChloëSevigny #KristenStewart #JameySheridan #FionaShaw #KimDickens #DenisOHare Why it’s one to watch: Sevigny and Stewart as lovers in a period thriller based on of the most notorious murders in American history? That’s more than enough for a long walk in the snow. DAMSEL Directors and screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Producers: Nathan Zellner, Chris Ohlson, David Zellner Official synopsis: Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, ventures across the American Frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope. As Samuel, a drunkard named Parson Henry and a miniature horse called Butterscotch traverse the Wild West, their once-simple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain and damsel. Cast: #RobertPattinson #MiaWasikowska #DavidZellner #RobertForster #NathanZellner #JoeBillingiere Why it’s one to watch: Pattinson collaborates with another pair of directing brothers after #GoodTime. Pattinson is in his #ArmieHammer phase of just wanting to do interesting material so chances are this should at least have a unique point of view. #SundanceFilmFest #Sundance2018 #Lizzie #Damsel #ParkCity #Utah 👏⭐👏⭐👏⭐

[artfilmfile]

“Kumiko The Treasure Hunter”directed by David Zellner (2014)

“Kumiko The Treasure Hunter”directed by David Zellner (2014)

Kumiko The Treasure Hunter   A film that was premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, Kumiko The Treasure Hunter directed by David Zellner is a film that oozes a strange mix of despair and the power of a dream. Kumiko, a lonely twenty nine year old girl residing in a sad, messy apartment in the crowded confines of Tokyo with her pet rabbit Bunzo, finds one day walking along the beach a…

[doomonfilm]

Review : Damsel (2018)

The Western is a clear staple of American cinema, with a clear set of context, rules and ideas that are generally presented.  The Zellner brothers, of Austin, decided to bring in that glorious weirdness that makes Austin what it is for their crack at the Western, and the result is the highly entertaining and extremely memorable Damsel.

Samuel Alabaster (Robert Pattinson) is a young man in love with Penelope (Mia Wasikowska), a woman he once met at a cakewalk and forged what he felt was a deep connection.  Samuel concocts what he believes is a sure shot plan : contract preacher Parson Henry (David Zellner) to follow him to Penelope to present her with his hand and marriage, as well as a miniature horse named Butterscotch.  While on the way, Samuel runs into Rufus Cornell (Nathan Zellner), which immediately makes him believe that Penelope has been kidnapped by Rufus and his brother Anton (uncredited).  After a chase through the woods results in Rufus running off of a cliff, Samuel turns his focus to Penelope, which sets actions into motion that cause chaos and humor in equal measure.

The Zellners took a very unique approach to a very traditional genre for Damsel in ways that are highly intriguing and entertaining.  The film is so beautifully shot, even from the still and somber opening frames, that the levels of dark comedy sewn into the core are easy to under-perceive.  In the words of Nathan Zellner, the locations are meant to be an idyllic mesh of iconic western locales, specifically ones that would not normally coexist in such close proximity.  The dialogue is wonderfully not era specific, choosing instead to convey information in whatever the most entertaining manner may be for the scene.

The characters that populate the world are rich in personality and full of depth that slowly presents itself to the viewer in brilliantly timed reveals.  What seems like an inconsequential opening scene turns out to be a subtle origin story for Parson Henry.  Samuel is immediately lovable with his innocent manner and Butterscotch in tow, only to make us completely second guess our ability to judge character in swift manner.  Penelope could very easily be a one-note character, but instead keeps her performance grounded and full of interesting lateral development.  Even the supporting characters such as Rufus Cornell and Zacharia are given enough material to work with to show more than sufficient range.

The entire aesthetic of the film comes off like some sort of sick cautionary morality tale, complete with vivid, well composed imagery and a powerful score via The Octopus Project.  The pacing is slow enough to allow you a chance to take all of these elements in, with the humor and engaging dialogue keeping the energy up via our interest in the story as it unfolds.

Robert Pattison has been making great choices in the selection of his roles post-Twilight saga, with this role in particular allowing him to show his ability to hit a span of emotions and beats.  Mia Waskowska is a pure powerhouse, holding down her role as the center of all attention and completely owning the task.  Robert Forster gives one of the most hilariously contradictory opening monologues in recent years.  Joseph Billingiere pops in momentarily with measured levity, managing to embrace his Native American casting while tip-toeing the line between trope and interesting.  The Zellner brothers, despite their jobs behind the camera, give great performances in front of the lens as well.

Austin Film Society definitely knows how to support the local film community and provide excellent programming in equal measure.  Having Nathan Zellner available for a Q & A after the film was icing on the cake.  Definitely a film experience for the books.