| Gunfighter Paradise | |
| Director: | Jethro Waters |
| Producer: | Nancy Buirski, Sara Ayele, Kyle Lewis, Jethro Waters |
| Starring: | Jessica Hecht, Valient Himself, Braz Cubas, Joel Loftin, Burk Uzzle |
| Cinematography: | Jethro Waters |
| Editing: | Jethro Waters |
| Studio: | Waters Film |
| Runtime: | 93 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Gunfighter Paradise is a 2024 dark comedy horror feature film written and directed by Jethro Waters. It stars Jessica Hecht, Valient Himself of Valient Thorr, Burk Uzzle, Braz Cubas, and Joel Loftin.
Gunfighter Paradise is an example of auteur film, having been written, directed, shot, edited, scored, and produced by Jethro Waters.[1] The film has been noted as a semi-autobiographical work that explores religion in America, with a focus on Christian Nationalism.[2] Critics have referred to the film as surrealist and experimental as well as sardonic, satirical and absurdist. The screenplay has been compared to the work the Cohen Brothers and Irving Ravetch,[3] as well as Paul Schrader.[4]
Iconic Italian poster artist Renato Casaro painted the movie poster for Gunfighter Paradise.[5]
Gunfighter Paradise follows a camouflaged hunter (Cubas) as he returns home to North Carolina with a mysterious green case. Following the death of his mother (Hecht), he moves into the old family home where he is haunted by the voices of God, hallucinogenic visions, and many strange visitors, including Civil War Reenactors, a cable man, zealous Christian neighbors, and an assassin.[6]
Gunfighter Parardise premiered in North America on March 9th, 2024, in competition at the Midwest WeirdFest Film Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where it won the Best Film prize.[7] It subsequently screened at RiverRun International Film Festival[8] and FilmFest Bremen in Bremen, Germany.[9]