by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Would you watch a film that has no dialogue and is a slice-of-life journey featuring a group of Sasquatches? Oddly specific… but there is a film just for you: David and Nathan Zellner’s Sasquatch Sunset. A trio of Sasquatches spend a year living their lives as they navigate the great wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. This concept would probably turn away plenty of people, but for those curious, there is something special waiting for you with this sub-90-minute feature.
What kind of atmosphere does Sasquatch Sunset deliver? It is an oddly funny affair that leans heavily into its dialogue-less existence, while using the sensibilities of silent films. There is plenty of slapstick humor and crassness. These are creatures of nature, and they certainly do natural things, like have sex, poop, and feed. There are silly elements in the film, but there are also some fiercely intense moments, as well as those which will leave the characters and audience quite sad. Sasquatch Sunset is not a journey without loss, and it handles these more intense and sad moments with great tenderness. The Sasquatches are not the most advanced of species, but they are capable of complex emotions and some simple community-based acts of respect. Like so many slice-of-life films, this one does not have a set plot, but it does navigate the humanity that is underneath the surface of these beings.
What other elements help create this specific and unique cinematic experience? There is a great mixture of natural elements, with the animals and forest feeling real and authentic, with makeup and hairstyling that is pitch-perfect. You probably wouldn’t believe that these creatures could be real. The design and execution is so believable that stars like Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough completely disappear into their roles. If this film doesn’t win an Oscar, that would be a horrible mistake. Adding on a score from The Octopus Project which beautifully emotes an ethereal atmosphere displays the rustic feel of the setting, while capturing the otherworldly existence of these beings.
Do these big-name actors shine through the layers of makeup? Yes, and it is all in the eyes. You would be surprised how much the performers can express with a combination of stares and closeup cinematography. Eisenberg is sensitive in his approach to a more intellectual Sasquatch who sees beauty around him. He conveys plenty of empathy through his performance, and that is essential to his character’s journey. Keough is raw and animalistic in her approach. There is a strength in her performance that is a sight to behold. The powerful female of the group must rebuke the aggression of Nathan Zellner’s brutish Alpha. She expresses so much through loss, childbirth, and the final confrontation of a world that is completely alien to her. Christophe Zajac-Denek gets to have plenty of fun by portraying a young Sasquatch going through adolescence. The choices he makes to bring this childlike existence to life are impactful.
Sure, this is about a crew of Sasquatches living their lives for a year, but it the film’s real depth is all in parallel with a creeping phantom. The film starts with what is basically an Eden come to life. There is a beauty in the land, and it feels virgin in its existence. But these beings slowly see the creeping presence of humanity. A blacktop road. A marked tree. A campsite. They bring anger and fear to the surface. The film’s final moments capture humanity’s disrespect towards nature in such a poignant and unexpected way. Upon reflection, you realize that it might be about seeing how our relationship with nature should be as shown by these Sasquatches. But instead, these beings see the rape of nature, and the destruction and disrespect we’ve brought our world. This film is extremely human and is a warning for all of us.
In its journey through the wild, Sasquatch Sunset delivers on its boldness and uniqueness. The Zellners do something so bold and brave as artists; this film is not an easily accessible experience, but the crass humor, themes, and purity of the natural world make for quite the striking experience. It is a wonderfully strange and bizarre experience on the surface, but when the humanity sinks in, you just might see more of yourself in the journey.
Rating: Loved It
Sasquatch Sunset is currently playing in theaters
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