Official Selection - Out of Competition 2016 / Swiss Army Man / USA 2016
“We decided to put together a film made up exclusively of motifs we hate,” say the Daniels, renowned music videomakers, about their feature debut, the most controversial film at this year’s Sundance fest. Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe adopt a highly unusual approach to demonstrate that one should share life’s joys and sorrows with a friend, even if his body shows no signs of life. Almost.
If you thought the boundaries of film expression couldn’t be pushed any further, the makers of Swiss Army Man will make you think again. “We decided to put together a film made up exclusively of motifs we hate,” say the Daniels, renowned music videomakers, about their feature debut – the most controversial and, at the same time, the most spellbinding film at this year’s Sundance fest. Castaway Hank has given up all hope of ever seeing a living soul on his deserted island. He is about to commit a desperate act but stops himself at the last minute when he sees a lifeless body wash up on shore. The future suddenly acquires new contours as Hank looks forward to a variety of incredible adventures in the company of the somewhat pasty-faced Manny. In this melancholy buddy comedy Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe ride a wave of sheer fantasy and demonstrate that life’s joys and sorrows should be shared with a friend, even if his body shows no signs of life. Almost.
Karel Och
95 min / Color, DCP
Director Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
/ Screenplay Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
/ Dir. of Photography Larkin Seiple
/ Music Andy Hull, Robert McDowell
/ Editor Matthew Hannam
/ Art Director Jason Kisvarday
/ Producer Amanda Marshall, Miranda Bailey, Lawrence Inglee, Jonathan Wang
/ Production Cold Iron Pictures, Tadmor, Astrakhan Film SB, Blackbird Films
/ Cast Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
/ Sales A24
Daniels is the pseudonym for a creative duo comprising Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Kwan, originally a graphic designer and animator, hails from Massachusetts, while Scheinert, a native of Alabama, took his route to show business via an interest in theatre and comedy. They share directing, editing and VFX duties, and often act, dance or appear as stunt doubles in their own work. Their many accolades include the MTV Best Director Award for the video clip for the song “Turn Down For What” by DJ Snake and Lil’ Jon, which has 500 million views to date. Their critically acclaimed interactive short Possibilia was screened at Tribeca 2014 and Sundance 2015. Last year’s SXSW festival included the short Interesting Ball on its programme. The feature film debut Swiss Army Man won this year’s Directing Award at Sundance.
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Daniel Scheinert
Film Director
Daniel Kwan
Film Director
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