The Zellner brothers, David and Nathan, deliver a bold experiment in contemporary cinema with Sasquatch Sunset. Their lifelong obsession with Bigfoot inspired them to create this 90-minute, dialogue-free film, starring a stellar cast including Golden Globe-nominated Riley Keough and Oscar-nominated Jesse Eisenberg. The movie showcases sasquatches’ everyday life in the Pacific Northwest forest.
A Bold Approach to Filmmaking
Nathan Zellner’s boldness is evident as he adopts a stoic demeanor while depicting one of the sasquatches. The characters, buried under prosthetic makeup and fur-covered body suits, grunt their way through various mundane activities, compelling the audience to rethink their perceptions often altered by human filters. We knew it was going to be divisive
, David says. This choice of non-human perspectives highlights the provocations that are a signature of the Zellners’ work.
An Unvarnished Look at Sasquatch Life
The Zellners brilliantly juggle farcical moments with genuine poignancy. The family of four led by Keough and Eisenberg partake in routine mammalian bodily functions such as eating berries or having vigorous sex. Scenes depict coordinated projectile defecation, evoking both intrigue and discomfort in equal parts, epitomizing the brothers’ knack for creating provocative moments with poignancy. As David pointed out during Sundance Film Festival discussions, many were surprised by such scenes: I bet they have no problem seeing the horror movie of the week
.
A World Without Humans
Their approach to exclude humans entirely gives room for an immersive experience into the Sasquatch world. Nathan reflected on this decision,The script wasn’t as long as a regular script…it was very detailed and specific.
Emphasizing behaviors observed in wildlife documentaries, such an animalistic portrayal diverges from traditional narrative forms.
Nathan notes that wearing these extensive prosthetics was akin to becoming another being altogether: …it was gallons of sweat!
Pushing Boundaries While Maintaining Authenticity
The film stands apart by presenting an animalistic view sans anthropomorphic clichés: every scratch and grunt speaks volumes about primal instincts versus human behaviors. Riley Keough’s performance encapsulates resilience; if her character had a theme song, it’d likely be Reba McEntire’s “I’m A Survivor.” Engrossing viewers without spoken language, Nathan credits this fidelity to their authentic direction: …you have all this makeup on, you have to really project it and move through it.
Follow Us
