The question Seed&Spark founder Emily Best often gets from indie filmmakers is this: “What the fuck is happening in distribution, and what are we supposed to do about it?”
“They weren’t even asking at this point, ‘How do I get distribution?’ said Best, who launched the indie film crowdfunding platform in 2012. “They were like, ‘Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. If only I knew what are the tools and what are the things that I need.’”
Best described the situation as a “black box” for creators who felt stuck and powerless as to how they should navigate distribution, with a few companies acting as gatekeepers. She said more people kept entering that box: As distribution became more challenging for everyone, even established filmmakers were now asking questions.
So after years of calls, seminars, and panels at film festivals, Best assembled everything you need to...
“They weren’t even asking at this point, ‘How do I get distribution?’ said Best, who launched the indie film crowdfunding platform in 2012. “They were like, ‘Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. If only I knew what are the tools and what are the things that I need.’”
Best described the situation as a “black box” for creators who felt stuck and powerless as to how they should navigate distribution, with a few companies acting as gatekeepers. She said more people kept entering that box: As distribution became more challenging for everyone, even established filmmakers were now asking questions.
So after years of calls, seminars, and panels at film festivals, Best assembled everything you need to...
- 6/7/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Fantasy horror Hundreds Of Beavers is to be released in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand by Lightbulb Film Distribution, following a festival run including Fantastic Fest, Fantasia and Sitges.
The film is US director Mike Cheslik’s feature debut, and is a dialogue-free homage to silent cinema about a drunken19th century cider salesman whose stock is ruined by hungry beavers and tries to recover his fortune by becoming North America’s greatest fur trapper.
Toronto-based genre specialist Raven Banner has international sales rights. Lightbulb will release the films in UK and Irish cinemas on July 9.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews...
The film is US director Mike Cheslik’s feature debut, and is a dialogue-free homage to silent cinema about a drunken19th century cider salesman whose stock is ruined by hungry beavers and tries to recover his fortune by becoming North America’s greatest fur trapper.
Toronto-based genre specialist Raven Banner has international sales rights. Lightbulb will release the films in UK and Irish cinemas on July 9.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews...
- 5/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
A wordless sasquatch film is certainly an audacious idea on paper. But it hasn’t been a month since we had an almost wordless beaver film (Hundreds of Beavers), which was fantastic. Clearly, cinema in 2024 is going way beyond the usual, and Sasquatch Sunset is a profound example of that. In the David and Nathan Zellner-directed Bigfoot film, the main characters refrain from saying anything, which only adds value to it. Despite the lack of dialogue, Sasquatch Sunset has a pretty clear narrative, which turns the story into a four-season tale. It’s often hard to sit through thanks to its extremely gross nature, but it is also quite an experience if you have a thing for a certain kind of weirdness. The film categorizes itself as a comedy, but it is quite heavy and also packs a message by the end. In case you are feeling lost after watching Sasquatch Sunset,...
- 5/17/2024
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
Trying to sell someone on the indie comedy "Hundreds of Beavers" is an exercise in comedic persuasion. Do you talk about how it's a black-and-white movie without dialogue evoking the approach of Charlie Chaplin? Do you highlight the slapstick physical comedy that would make "The Three Stooges" proud? Or do you simply say, "This dude fights people in animal mascot suits in the snow" and let the universe work its magic? First debuting on the festival circuit in 2022 and now finally available on VOD, "Hundreds of Beavers" has quietly become the must-see oddball indie flick for cinephiles everywhere. It's a seemingly algorithm-proof movie that, as /Film's Matt Donato described in his review, exists at the crossroads of Looney Tunes, Benny Hill, "Cannibal: The Musical," "Blazing Saddles," and Adult Swim mindsets. It's also a delightfully Midwest movie, embracing a sense of humor that has been missing from major comedy films for far too long.
- 5/9/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
(Welcome to Under the Radar, a column where we spotlight specific movies, shows, trends, performances, or scenes that caught our eye and deserved more attention ... but otherwise flew under the radar. In this edition: the haunting genre-bender "The Beast," the farcical indie "Hundreds of Beavers," and HBO's "The Sympathizer" all stand out as clear highlights.)
Buckle up, folks: The theme of this month's edition of "Under the Radar" falls under the category of weird and wild.
More so than in previous years, this past April marked something of an awkward transition point in the overall release calendar. While Oscar season is well and truly behind us, the summer blockbuster season still remains a few weeks away from truly ramping up in earnest. Sure, the one-two punch of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and "Furiosa" technically kick off the festivities in short order, but June and July are when the real heavy-hitters -- hello,...
Buckle up, folks: The theme of this month's edition of "Under the Radar" falls under the category of weird and wild.
More so than in previous years, this past April marked something of an awkward transition point in the overall release calendar. While Oscar season is well and truly behind us, the summer blockbuster season still remains a few weeks away from truly ramping up in earnest. Sure, the one-two punch of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and "Furiosa" technically kick off the festivities in short order, but June and July are when the real heavy-hitters -- hello,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
In October 2018 while sharing beers in a frigid Milwaukee bar with his soon-to-be leading man Ryland Tews, director, visual effects artist and editor of “Hundreds of Beavers” Mike Cheslik conceived the film based on three simple elements: his After Effects skills, familiarity with snow and Tews’ uncanny ability to fall over.
“We knew that the image of a guy in a mascot costume falling down was fundamentally funny,” Cheslik explains. “And if that is in every shot, even if our gags aren’t working well, we have the fundamental comedy of mascot animal. Is that right, Ryland?”
“Absolutely,” Tews says in response. “We just wanted to make a movie that looked like nothing else.”
Ryland Tews and Mike Cheslik on the set of “Hundreds of Beavers.”
This would begin the five-and-a-half-year journey to the theatrical release of one of 2024’s most successful indie films. Entirely self-distributed, “Hundreds of Beavers” has...
“We knew that the image of a guy in a mascot costume falling down was fundamentally funny,” Cheslik explains. “And if that is in every shot, even if our gags aren’t working well, we have the fundamental comedy of mascot animal. Is that right, Ryland?”
“Absolutely,” Tews says in response. “We just wanted to make a movie that looked like nothing else.”
Ryland Tews and Mike Cheslik on the set of “Hundreds of Beavers.”
This would begin the five-and-a-half-year journey to the theatrical release of one of 2024’s most successful indie films. Entirely self-distributed, “Hundreds of Beavers” has...
- 5/6/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Hundreds of Beavers premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2022 and released digitally in April of 2024.
I didn’t know much about the Mike Cheslik directed film prior to seeing it. I had heard the name and initially believed it was a nature documentary. I was very wrong. After reading the description I thought it might be a horror-comedy in the vein of 2015’s Zombeavers. Wrong again. It’s a genre-defying mishmash comprised of absurdist slapstick humor, and I absolutely loved it.
Hundreds of Beavers Plot
Also Read: Straight Outta Compton and Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Lays It All on the Line for Naughty Dog’s Contentious Sequel
Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) has his life flipped upside down when beavers destroy his home. While attempting to survive in the brutal cold of winter, he finds himself at odds with various wildlife. Rabbits, racoons, wolves and beavers continuously outsmart the dimwitted man.
I didn’t know much about the Mike Cheslik directed film prior to seeing it. I had heard the name and initially believed it was a nature documentary. I was very wrong. After reading the description I thought it might be a horror-comedy in the vein of 2015’s Zombeavers. Wrong again. It’s a genre-defying mishmash comprised of absurdist slapstick humor, and I absolutely loved it.
Hundreds of Beavers Plot
Also Read: Straight Outta Compton and Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Lays It All on the Line for Naughty Dog’s Contentious Sequel
Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) has his life flipped upside down when beavers destroy his home. While attempting to survive in the brutal cold of winter, he finds himself at odds with various wildlife. Rabbits, racoons, wolves and beavers continuously outsmart the dimwitted man.
- 4/29/2024
- by Joshua Ryan
- FandomWire
It’s a slow weekend for theatrical releases but a great one for streaming debuts. The hottest title is a surefire Oscar candidate, and the others have become fan favorites with long shelf lives ahead.
The contender to watch this week: “Dune: Part Two“
Denis Villeneuve‘s first “Dune” won six of its 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects. His second, 2024’s highest-grossing movie to date, could show up in many of the same categories next year. Timothée Chalamet probably has a better shot at a nomination for the Bob Dylan biopic he’s currently shooting, and if Zendaya deserves recognition for anything, it’s “Challengers.” But even without acting contenders, “Dune: Part Two” could rank among next season’s biggest players. It’s still in theaters, but you can now ride the sandworm at home by renting or purchasing the film on VOD.
Other contenders:...
The contender to watch this week: “Dune: Part Two“
Denis Villeneuve‘s first “Dune” won six of its 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects. His second, 2024’s highest-grossing movie to date, could show up in many of the same categories next year. Timothée Chalamet probably has a better shot at a nomination for the Bob Dylan biopic he’s currently shooting, and if Zendaya deserves recognition for anything, it’s “Challengers.” But even without acting contenders, “Dune: Part Two” could rank among next season’s biggest players. It’s still in theaters, but you can now ride the sandworm at home by renting or purchasing the film on VOD.
Other contenders:...
- 4/20/2024
- by Matthew Jacobs
- Gold Derby
Mike Cheslik behind the scenes of Hundreds Of BeaversImage: Srh
If you’ve had a chance to catch Hundreds Of Beavers during its recent roadshow tour, or at any of the many festivals where it’s played to enthusiastic audiences, you already know what a weird and wonderful film it is.
If you’ve had a chance to catch Hundreds Of Beavers during its recent roadshow tour, or at any of the many festivals where it’s played to enthusiastic audiences, you already know what a weird and wonderful film it is.
- 4/19/2024
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Asphalt City (Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)
I entered Asphalt City at last year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival with nothing but morbid curiosity. Having engendered some rank responses from its Cannes premiere and not secured any known U.S. distributor, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s film had the right kind of bad-object energy one needs at the jetlagged start to their week in a small Polish city. (Or just the comfort I personally get from a Brooklyn-shot feature featuring two Club Random guests.) I walked away boasting complicated, fascinated enthusiasm: nearly every second is ridiculous and never boring, and it doesn’t not deserve to play at a cinematography festival––having the most cinematography counts for something. Starting and ending with a blatant homage to The New World...
Asphalt City (Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)
I entered Asphalt City at last year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival with nothing but morbid curiosity. Having engendered some rank responses from its Cannes premiere and not secured any known U.S. distributor, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s film had the right kind of bad-object energy one needs at the jetlagged start to their week in a small Polish city. (Or just the comfort I personally get from a Brooklyn-shot feature featuring two Club Random guests.) I walked away boasting complicated, fascinated enthusiasm: nearly every second is ridiculous and never boring, and it doesn’t not deserve to play at a cinematography festival––having the most cinematography counts for something. Starting and ending with a blatant homage to The New World...
- 4/19/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
So, you say you want to see something different, offbeat, out-of-the-ordinarry on your next visit to the cinema. Well, this weekend brings a true test for adventurous filmgoers. A few days ago I posted a review of the slapstick farce Hundreds Of Beavers, which is basically a silent movie “homage” since there’s almost no spoken dialogue. Much the same can be said for this new film, though it has a full soundtrack with lots of ambient background audio. Oh, and the characters do communicate, though it’s mainly via hand gestures, body language, and various grunts, growls, and groans. That’s because the four main characters are those “urban legend” icons, Bigfeet (Bigfoots just doesn’t sound right). No humans, just this quartet, romping around the forest all day until the big Sasquatch Sunset.
It all begins though, with the sunrise over a vast wooded area, perhaps in the great Northwestern US.
It all begins though, with the sunrise over a vast wooded area, perhaps in the great Northwestern US.
- 4/19/2024
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The existence of a film like Hundreds of Beavers in 2024 is a marvel. How else can you put it, given that it feels like something that was actually made in another era—when motion pictures used to be much different—and, most importantly, without words? To think that director Mike Cheslik has actually made a micro-budget (almost) silent film that is very much in line with Looney Tunes but also has a clear Midwestern influence, considering the subject matter and the settings, is astonishing! And the fact that it actually works out pretty well is surprising, as well as reassuring for filmmakers who’re out there thinking about doing something unimaginably different. Hundreds of Beavers is what can happen when someone actually shows courage.
Spoilers Ahead
What Happens In The Film?
If you’re reading this, then I’m assuming you’re here only after watching the film. If you haven’t yet done so,...
Spoilers Ahead
What Happens In The Film?
If you’re reading this, then I’m assuming you’re here only after watching the film. If you haven’t yet done so,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
Stars: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Doug Mancheski, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Luis Rico | Written by Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Mike Cheslik | Directed by Mike Cheslik
When my partner asked me what movie I was watching perhaps “checking out Hundreds of Beavers” wasn’t the best of all possible answers. And I suppose trying to clarify it with “big hairy Canadian beavers” didn’t help. But despite the title and opening quote from St. Augustine, “Lord grant me chastity, but not yet!”, this isn’t that kind of a movie.
The new film from director Mike Cheslik and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, the pair who gave us the Tews-directed Lake Michigan Monster, never really gets raunchier than an old episode of The Benny Hill Show as it relates the tale of Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) who, as we see in the opening animation, has lost his apple orchard...
When my partner asked me what movie I was watching perhaps “checking out Hundreds of Beavers” wasn’t the best of all possible answers. And I suppose trying to clarify it with “big hairy Canadian beavers” didn’t help. But despite the title and opening quote from St. Augustine, “Lord grant me chastity, but not yet!”, this isn’t that kind of a movie.
The new film from director Mike Cheslik and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, the pair who gave us the Tews-directed Lake Michigan Monster, never really gets raunchier than an old episode of The Benny Hill Show as it relates the tale of Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) who, as we see in the opening animation, has lost his apple orchard...
- 4/16/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Since it seems that the big action blockbusters are taking over the multiplex far in advance of their usual Summertime occupancy, what’s out there for lovers of silent-movie style slapstick and Golden Age cartoon short lunacy (as in those “Tunes”)? Well, a recent “midnight movie” indie hit on the “film festival circuit” is now available to rent or buy via streaming. Oh, but that title might raise a few “red flags” on your business search engine when getting some info on it. Not to worry, since most rating boards would probably give it a “PG-13” rating, at most, due to some scatological humor and some sexy gymnastics for a few seconds. Ah, but let’s delve a bit more into the movie with the ‘eyebrow-raising’ moniker, the fantasy fable/farce concerning Hundreds Of Beavers.
Well, it does resemble a silent comedy from a hundred years ago just before we...
Well, it does resemble a silent comedy from a hundred years ago just before we...
- 4/15/2024
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Hundreds of Beavers Hits Streaming This April Following Critical Acclaim and Sold Out Shows on North American Theatrical Tour Underground Frostbitten Epic Bows on Prime Video and Apple TV April 15th via FilmHub Debuts April 19th as an SVOD Exclusive on Fandor Recent Reviews: “You’d do well to satisfy your craving for knockabout …
The post Frozen Slapstick Epic Hundreds Of Beavers Thaws onto Streaming April 15th appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post Frozen Slapstick Epic Hundreds Of Beavers Thaws onto Streaming April 15th appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 4/3/2024
- by Janel Spiegel
- Horror News
Reuniting the team that brought Lake Michigan Monster to audiences in 2019, frostbitten slapstick epic Hundreds of Beavers sets its digital debut after a successful festival and theatrical run.
Look for Hundreds of Beavers to be available for rental and purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV nationwide through FilmHub starting April 15, 2024. Other major Tvod platforms will follow. The frostbitten epic comedy will be available as an SVOD exclusive on Fandor beginning April 19.
The film stars Ryland Brickson Cole Tews as the intrepid hero of this frostbitten inventive epic, co-written by Tews and Mike Cheslik making his feature directorial debut.
About Hundreds of Beavers: “In this silent supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from Zero to Hero, become North America’s greatest fur trapper, and defeat hundreds of beavers?”
Tews plays Jean Kayak, who “finds himself stranded in a surreal winter landscape...
Look for Hundreds of Beavers to be available for rental and purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV nationwide through FilmHub starting April 15, 2024. Other major Tvod platforms will follow. The frostbitten epic comedy will be available as an SVOD exclusive on Fandor beginning April 19.
The film stars Ryland Brickson Cole Tews as the intrepid hero of this frostbitten inventive epic, co-written by Tews and Mike Cheslik making his feature directorial debut.
About Hundreds of Beavers: “In this silent supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from Zero to Hero, become North America’s greatest fur trapper, and defeat hundreds of beavers?”
Tews plays Jean Kayak, who “finds himself stranded in a surreal winter landscape...
- 4/3/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Photo: Universal Pictures/Eric Laciste, The Chosen/Mike Kubeisy, A24, Carlow Rodriguez/Lionsgate, Image: Universal Pictures, A24, Srh, Lionsgate, Graphic: The A.V. Club, The A.V. ClubSXSW review: The Fall GuyRyan Gosling in The Fall GuyPhoto: Universal Pictures/Eric Laciste
Fresh off of his show-stopping performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars,...
Fresh off of his show-stopping performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars,...
- 3/16/2024
- avclub.com
Wes Tank in Hundreds Of BeaversImage: Srh
With influences including Charlie Chaplin, Guy Maddin, Looney Tunes, Trey Parker, Joe Carnahan’s The Grey, and a handful of Nintendo games, Hundreds Of Beavers is one of the most distinctive movies you’ll see all year, and one made for midnight viewings if ever anything was.
With influences including Charlie Chaplin, Guy Maddin, Looney Tunes, Trey Parker, Joe Carnahan’s The Grey, and a handful of Nintendo games, Hundreds Of Beavers is one of the most distinctive movies you’ll see all year, and one made for midnight viewings if ever anything was.
- 3/11/2024
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- avclub.com
Hundreds of Beavers has been tearing up the festival circuit for months now, scooping prizes and rapidly building a rabid cult following. And with damn good reason. If you have even the slightest love for slapstick comedy and goofball antics, then this will undoubtedly be the most gut-busting time you have at the movies this year. Once upon a time in early frontier days on the Canadian/US border, Jean Kayak is an entrepreneurial cider distiller, who is often high on his own supply. One day, his orchard and stills are destroyed by the local beaver population, which is definitely up to something. This is done in a goofball musical opening number that serves as an introduction to Jean’s expressive face and silly-putty muscular...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 2/27/2024
- Screen Anarchy
Those dismayed by the cancellation of the big-budget “Coyote vs. Acme” — a high-profile casualty of the recent Hollywood trend towards pulling the plug on near-completed projects — may find consolation and then some in “Hundreds of Beavers.” That is, if they become aware of it, of course. Chances are good that they will, eventually, as this DIY delight has begun self-distributing to North American theaters following a long tour on the regional festival circuit. It’s sure to develop a significant cult following with its unique mix of silent-era slapstick, animation elements, theme-park-style critter costumes, and general air of inspired absurdity.
Well, not entirely unique: Director Mike Cheslik and star Ryland Brickson Cole Tews previously collaborated on 2018’s “Lake Michigan Monster,” a similarly nonsensical B&w comedy, albeit in a more Guy Maddin-esque pseudo-early-talkie vein, with a fantasy adventure gist in the vein of Jules Verne. But for all its enterprise,...
Well, not entirely unique: Director Mike Cheslik and star Ryland Brickson Cole Tews previously collaborated on 2018’s “Lake Michigan Monster,” a similarly nonsensical B&w comedy, albeit in a more Guy Maddin-esque pseudo-early-talkie vein, with a fantasy adventure gist in the vein of Jules Verne. But for all its enterprise,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
“Hundreds of Beavers” is a new action adventure comedy feature, directed by Mike Cheslik, The film with blends of puppetry, stop motion, miniatures, actors in rabbit, beaver, wolf, and raccoon suits and a whole lot more, starring Ryland Brickson, Cole Tews, Wes Tank, Olivia Graves and Doug Mancheski, releasing January 26, 2024 in select theaters:
“…a drunken salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from ‘Zero’ to “Hero’ defeating hundreds of beavers…?”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…a drunken salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from ‘Zero’ to “Hero’ defeating hundreds of beavers…?”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 1/18/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Earth-shaking. Must be seen to be believed." Srh has revealed an amazing official theatrical trailer for the "frostbitten, anarchic slapstick action comedy" called Hundreds of Beavers. Made by animator / editor Mike Cheslik, this has been touring the film festival circuit throughout 2023 - with stops at Fantasia, Cine Horror, Morbido, Cinequest, Fantaspoa, Sitges, and more. In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become a fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers. Let's gnaw! "The film captures zany and anarchic energy by featuring a new gag every few seconds... A man-versus-nature narrative about overcoming the cruel and unforgiving landscape of a northeastern winter, Hundreds of Beavers is an uproarious and dynamic theatrical experience." It's finally set to open in the US with a "Great Lakes Roadshow" - debuting in Minneapolis, Mn, then in Toronto, later opening in NYC, LA, Charlotte, and other cities through February & March.
- 1/17/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Attention folks who live in and around the Great Lakes region! Hundreds of Beavers is beginning its North American theatrical run with a Great Lakes Roadshow! The tour begins in Minneapolis on January 26th and will conlcude here in Toronto on February 10th. A festival hit since its premiere back in 2022 Hundreds of Beavers took on the international festival circuit, collecting praise and accolades aplenty. Our own Kurt caught the surreal slapstick winter comedy when it came to Fantasia this past Summer and has taken every opportunity to watch it when it's played here in Toronto. We expect to see him again at the Fox theater on February 10th. You can read his review here, or, just scroll down a bit and see...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/16/2024
- Screen Anarchy
Marked slates includes Romi, Falling Stars.
Toronto-based genre specialists Raven Banner have acquired worldwide sales rights to Max Isaacson’s genre-bending Paradise and has introduced to AFM buyers this week.
Patricia Allison (His Dark Materials), Tate Donavan (Ghosted) and Tia Carrere (True Lies) star in the comedy western as Ella Patchet, a rebellious punk and the fastest gun around in a small island town.
When corrupt officials cover up the murder of her father Dan, the town sheriff, Ella embarks on a rage-fuelled quest for justice. Paradise is in post.
Raven Banner will also introduce Robert Cuffley’s horror Romi,...
Toronto-based genre specialists Raven Banner have acquired worldwide sales rights to Max Isaacson’s genre-bending Paradise and has introduced to AFM buyers this week.
Patricia Allison (His Dark Materials), Tate Donavan (Ghosted) and Tia Carrere (True Lies) star in the comedy western as Ella Patchet, a rebellious punk and the fastest gun around in a small island town.
When corrupt officials cover up the murder of her father Dan, the town sheriff, Ella embarks on a rage-fuelled quest for justice. Paradise is in post.
Raven Banner will also introduce Robert Cuffley’s horror Romi,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Some of you like your cinema weird. Scratch that, extra weird. Which is why there are events like the Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival. Now, this one is all the way over in Lausanne, Switzerland, but, if you have the means to get over there during the third week of October the event promises you some of the best in avant-garde and experimental cinema. Both and film and music festival our attention will be focused on the selection of films playing at this year's festival. Of note, the horror comedy Apocalypse Clown, silent era throwback Hundreds of Beavers and Sundance title Divinty will play at this year's festival. Everything you need to know about this year's film program can be found here. ...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/21/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Talk To Me Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Danny and Michael Philippou's haunting tale of teenage supernatural experimentation Talk To Me has been named Best International Feature by the Fantasia International Film Festival audience, it was revealed today. The Australian film, which has also screened at South by Southwest, the Berlinale and Sundance, was a hot topic throughout the festival, with a number of other filmmakers expressing their excitement about it.
Provisional dates for next year's festival are expected to be announced soon.
Those awards in full:
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me Silver: Late Night With The Devil Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out Silver: River Bronze: Phantom (South Korea D. Lee Hae-Young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba Silver: The Concierge (Japan, D....
Danny and Michael Philippou's haunting tale of teenage supernatural experimentation Talk To Me has been named Best International Feature by the Fantasia International Film Festival audience, it was revealed today. The Australian film, which has also screened at South by Southwest, the Berlinale and Sundance, was a hot topic throughout the festival, with a number of other filmmakers expressing their excitement about it.
Provisional dates for next year's festival are expected to be announced soon.
Those awards in full:
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me Silver: Late Night With The Devil Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out Silver: River Bronze: Phantom (South Korea D. Lee Hae-Young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba Silver: The Concierge (Japan, D....
- 8/14/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
A couple weeks ago, the Fantasia International Film Festival announced the films that won jury prizes at the 27th edition of the show, which recently came to a close. Yesterday, our own Tyler Nichols shared his list of favorite films from this year’s Fantasia festival. Now Fantasia has unveiled the list of audience award winners, with wins going to films like Talk to Me, The Roundup: No Way Out, Kurayukaba, and Satan Wants You, among others. The full list can be seen below:
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me
Silver: Late Night With The Devil
Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out
Silver: River
Bronze: Phantom (South Korea d. Lee Hae-young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba
Silver: The Concierge
Bronze: The First Slam Dunk
The Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (Narrative or Documentary)
Satan Wants You – This year’s...
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me
Silver: Late Night With The Devil
Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out
Silver: River
Bronze: Phantom (South Korea d. Lee Hae-young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba
Silver: The Concierge
Bronze: The First Slam Dunk
The Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (Narrative or Documentary)
Satan Wants You – This year’s...
- 8/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
"Steroidally swollen with gags and smarts." Raven Banner will be releasing this film later in the year, but until then get a first look at this wacky, mesmerizing B&w indie film called Hundreds of Beavers. Made by animator / editor Mike Cheslik, this has been touring the film festival circuit already throughout 2023 - with stops at Fantasia, Cine Horror, Morbido, Cinequest, Fantaspoa, Atlanta, & others. In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become the greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers. "The film captures zany and anarchic energy by featuring a new gag every few seconds. It has many one-offs but similarly builds momentum with slower build-ups and call-backs that keep the experience fresh and surprising. A man-versus-nature narrative about overcoming the cruel and unforgiving landscape of a northeastern winter, Hundreds of Beavers is an uproarious and dynamic theatrical experience.
- 8/7/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This Jack Davis-inspired poster for Hundreds of Beavers may or may not have the literal "hundreds" on display; you can count, if you like. Either way, it gives the sense of scale and tone of the film's climactic finale. Illustrated and designed by Kyle Hilton, it wonderfully captures the madcap cartoon insanity of the film, although it belies the film's silent black and white aesthetic. The snowshoe'd hero is clearly on the run, busting, literally, out of the framed border. After seeing the film, you will get to know that oversized racoon hat very, very well. The maximal design leaves just enough room for the title card -- and the credit block simply ain't happening -- along with a pull quote, which frankly, does not...
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- 8/4/2023
- Screen Anarchy
The Canadian comedy screened last week at the Fantasia festival.
Raven Banner has picked up international sales rights to Mike Cheslik’s fantasy comedy Hundreds Of Beavers, which had its Canadian premiere last week in the Underground section of Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
The film, Cheslik’s feature directing debut, is a dialogue-free homage to silent cinema about a drunken nineteenth century cider salesman whose stock is ruined by hungry beavers and tries to recover his fortune by becoming North America’s greatest fur trapper.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews stars and co-wrote the script with Cheslik.
The film...
Raven Banner has picked up international sales rights to Mike Cheslik’s fantasy comedy Hundreds Of Beavers, which had its Canadian premiere last week in the Underground section of Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
The film, Cheslik’s feature directing debut, is a dialogue-free homage to silent cinema about a drunken nineteenth century cider salesman whose stock is ruined by hungry beavers and tries to recover his fortune by becoming North America’s greatest fur trapper.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews stars and co-wrote the script with Cheslik.
The film...
- 7/31/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Doug Mancheski, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Luis Rico | Written by Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Mike Cheslik | Directed by Mike Cheslik
When my partner asked me what I was doing tonight perhaps “checking out Hundreds of Beavers” wasn’t the best of all possible answers. And I suppose trying to clarify it with “big hairy Canadian beavers” didn’t help. But despite the title and opening quote from St. Augustine, “Lord grant me chastity, but not yet!”, this isn’t that kind of a movie.
The new film from director Mike Cheslik and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, the pair who gave us the Tews-directed Lake Michigan Monster, never really gets raunchier than an old episode of The Benny Hill Show as it relates the tale of Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) who, as we see in the opening animation, has lost his apple orchard...
When my partner asked me what I was doing tonight perhaps “checking out Hundreds of Beavers” wasn’t the best of all possible answers. And I suppose trying to clarify it with “big hairy Canadian beavers” didn’t help. But despite the title and opening quote from St. Augustine, “Lord grant me chastity, but not yet!”, this isn’t that kind of a movie.
The new film from director Mike Cheslik and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, the pair who gave us the Tews-directed Lake Michigan Monster, never really gets raunchier than an old episode of The Benny Hill Show as it relates the tale of Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) who, as we see in the opening animation, has lost his apple orchard...
- 7/31/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Hundreds Of Beavers Photo: Fantasia International Film Festival
Four years ago at the Fantasia International Film Festival, a little film called Lake Michigan Monster, made in black and white with a very small cast and special effects cobbled together from everyday household objects, made a big impression. When the same team returned for this year’s Fantasia with a film about a ruined man in a snowy wilderness trying to build a career as a fur trapper, it instantly stood out as a must-see. Hundreds Of Beavers is truly unlike anything else you are likely to encounter in today’s film landscape, a wildly imaginative fable told through slapstick which somehow manages to keep upping the ante over the course of 108 minutes. Some people will not get it at all, but most critics loved it. I was delighted to get the opportunity to talk to its director and editor, Mike Cheslik,...
Four years ago at the Fantasia International Film Festival, a little film called Lake Michigan Monster, made in black and white with a very small cast and special effects cobbled together from everyday household objects, made a big impression. When the same team returned for this year’s Fantasia with a film about a ruined man in a snowy wilderness trying to build a career as a fur trapper, it instantly stood out as a must-see. Hundreds Of Beavers is truly unlike anything else you are likely to encounter in today’s film landscape, a wildly imaginative fable told through slapstick which somehow manages to keep upping the ante over the course of 108 minutes. Some people will not get it at all, but most critics loved it. I was delighted to get the opportunity to talk to its director and editor, Mike Cheslik,...
- 7/30/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Hundreds of Beavers has been tearing up the festival circuit for months now, scooping prizes and rapidly building a rabid cult following. And with damn good reason. If you have even the slightest love for slap stick comedy and goofball antics, then this will undoubtedly be the most gut-busting time you have at the movies this year. Once upon a time in early frontier days on the Canadian/US border, Jean Kayak is an entrepreneurial cider distiller, who is often high on his own supply. One day, his orchard and stills are destroyed by the local beaver population, who are definitely up to something. This is done in a goofball musical opening number which serves an intro to Jean’s expressive face and silly-putty muscular...
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- 7/29/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Some films, even whilst they enjoy box office success, don’t really move anyone. Some attract equal measures of love and hate. Others create a division between viewers who adore them and viewers who are just confused, or not even sure if what they just watched was a film. 2018’s Lake Michigan Monster falls firmly into the latter camp. Now its writing team is back with the only slightly less peculiar Hundreds Of Beavers, which also does exactly what it says on the tin but in ways you’re unlikely to be prepared for.
The star of the show, once again, is Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who no longer has mascara on his eyebrows but otherwise looks much the same, and just as much at sea. He plays a late 18th Century Canadian whose life has fallen into ruin as a consequence of his abiding passion for Acme Applejack cider.
The star of the show, once again, is Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who no longer has mascara on his eyebrows but otherwise looks much the same, and just as much at sea. He plays a late 18th Century Canadian whose life has fallen into ruin as a consequence of his abiding passion for Acme Applejack cider.
- 7/28/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
In just a matter of weeks, Popcorn Frights Film Festival will return for its ninth edition of sun-soaked, blood-splattered cinematic scares this August in South Florida, and following the reveals of their first two waves of programming, the third wave of must-see screenings and essential events for the festival has been announced, including the Bloomquist Brothers’ new slasher Founders Day, Olivia West Lloyd’s Somewhere Quiet, a 4K restoration of Nightmare (1981), horror movie trivia presented by Fangoria, and much more!
As previously announced, this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival will run August 10th–20th, with screenings taking place at Fort Lauderdale's historic Savor Cinema and “The Horror Collective Screening Room” at Miami Beach's O Cinema South Beach (as part of a special partnership between Popcorn Frights and Entertainment Squad's The Horror Collective).
You can purchase In-Theater All-Access Badges here and Virtual Passes here.
Below, we have a look at...
As previously announced, this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival will run August 10th–20th, with screenings taking place at Fort Lauderdale's historic Savor Cinema and “The Horror Collective Screening Room” at Miami Beach's O Cinema South Beach (as part of a special partnership between Popcorn Frights and Entertainment Squad's The Horror Collective).
You can purchase In-Theater All-Access Badges here and Virtual Passes here.
Below, we have a look at...
- 7/27/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Popcorn Frights‘ third wave of programming is here, bringing even more delightful frights and curated programming for their most ambitious year yet. Prepare for a weeklong, face-melting celebration of genre cinema with 48 feature film presentations from 20 countries, industry sessions, beach parties, live performances, horror trivia, live comedy, and so much more.
The fest is back this year for its ninth edition, both in-person and virtually, from August 10-20 in Fort Lauderdale, South Beach and virtually nationwide.
Highlights from the third wave of Popcorn Frights 2023 programming include the Bloomquist Brothers’ political slasher Founders Day, Marcel Walz’s giallo thriller That’S A Wrap, Anthony Cousins’ found footage creature feature Frogman, Devanny Pinn’s Florida-set serial killer thriller The Black Mass, as well as the killer mannequin creepfest Don’T Look Away, the 30th anniversary of Fred Williamsons’ super-rare made-in-Miami murder mystery South Beach starring Gary Busey, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, and Vanity.
The fest is back this year for its ninth edition, both in-person and virtually, from August 10-20 in Fort Lauderdale, South Beach and virtually nationwide.
Highlights from the third wave of Popcorn Frights 2023 programming include the Bloomquist Brothers’ political slasher Founders Day, Marcel Walz’s giallo thriller That’S A Wrap, Anthony Cousins’ found footage creature feature Frogman, Devanny Pinn’s Florida-set serial killer thriller The Black Mass, as well as the killer mannequin creepfest Don’T Look Away, the 30th anniversary of Fred Williamsons’ super-rare made-in-Miami murder mystery South Beach starring Gary Busey, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, and Vanity.
- 7/27/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
In this silent supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from zero to hero, become North America's greatest fur trapper, and defeat hundreds of beavers? I've been making a concentrated effort to go through the filmography of Harold Lloyd lately. It's the perfect remedy for what ails you. Of course you watch enough of Lloyd's antics and it gets you thinking, "There just are not enough silent films, even rarer, silent horror comedy films". Cue Mike Cheslik's Hundreds of Beavers. Hundreds of Beavers is currently romping through the festival circuit, appearing in a dozen festivals during the month of April alone. It had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest back in September. The teaser...
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- 4/13/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Hundreds Of Beavers Teaser Trailer: "In this silent supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from zero to hero, become North America's greatest fur trapper, and defeat hundreds of beavers?"
After a celebrated World Premiere at FantasticFest 2022, it took to the festival circuit, and will be screening at twelve different festivals in April alone, including Atlanta Film Festival where it's nominated for Best Cinematography, and Fantaspoa in Brazil. Hundreds of Beavers is from writer/director Mike Cheslik and producer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews.
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Abruptio at Panic Fest: "HellBent Pictures is excited to announce the next screening of Evan Marlowe's life-sized puppet horror Abruptio at Panic Fest, Kansas City's celebrated film festival now in its 10th year at the historic Screenland Theater. Comedy, mystery, blood, A-List voices, action, and puppets combine in the first-of-its-kind surrealistic horror/thriller.
Abruptio features the voice talents...
After a celebrated World Premiere at FantasticFest 2022, it took to the festival circuit, and will be screening at twelve different festivals in April alone, including Atlanta Film Festival where it's nominated for Best Cinematography, and Fantaspoa in Brazil. Hundreds of Beavers is from writer/director Mike Cheslik and producer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews.
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Abruptio at Panic Fest: "HellBent Pictures is excited to announce the next screening of Evan Marlowe's life-sized puppet horror Abruptio at Panic Fest, Kansas City's celebrated film festival now in its 10th year at the historic Screenland Theater. Comedy, mystery, blood, A-List voices, action, and puppets combine in the first-of-its-kind surrealistic horror/thriller.
Abruptio features the voice talents...
- 4/13/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
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