Pushing the bounds of creativity, a silent festival favorite has become a cinema darling with a well-deserved following. Hundreds of Beavers is a silent comedy that’s completely off the walls in the best way possible.
From the minds of Ryland Brickson Cole Tews and Mike Cheslik, the film follows an applejack salesman who’s thrust into the wilderness in freezing temperatures. As he’s trying to find his way, his progress is constantly thwarted by the forest’s natural tenants: rabbits, raccoons, birds, and of course, beavers. Once he discovers the beavers to be the source of his problems, his focus shifts to revenge.
Britannica defines ‘slapstick’ as a type of physical comedy characterized by broad humor, absurd situations, and vigorous, usually violent action. All of those characteristics can be found in this film. We’re introduced to Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) through a production number detailing his obsession with his applejack. This entrepreneur and woodsman spent his days drunk off his product, eventually opening a vulnerability for the neighboring beavers who’ve suffered at the expense of his orchards and brewery. After watching the Looney Tunes-style intro, you’ll get a feel for what you’re about to experience over the next hour and a half.
After losing everything, Kayak is forced to familiarize himself with his new environment after he wakes up lost in a different location. With birds, bugs, and beavers set against him, through trial and error, he sets up for one of the funniest showdowns you’ll ever see from an independent outfit.
The film also stars Olivia Graves as the furrier, Wes Tank as the mountain man, Doug Mancheski as the merchant, and Lu Rico as the Indian. Within minutes, you might have a clue of what lies in store, but trust, that whatever your feelings are telling you, they’re wrong. Proper applause to the team for having an idea that arguably should’ve (and could’ve) been a short film but was able to fix it for feature.
A handful of over-the-top moments felt like they were forced, but the humor overall was there and plentiful. The Beavers are clever and focused on their goals, seemingly unbothered by Kayak’s attempts to derail their efforts. It’s silent and hilarious, and while it may lack color (it’s a black-and-white film), it doesn’t lack creativity. It’s a silent slapstick success.
Fun facts:
- Fundraised and shot in Wisconsin and Michigan
- Completed over four years
- 12 weeks of shooting
- Filmed in subzero temperatures
- 1,500+ effects shots
Hundreds of Beavers earns a 9 out of 10. My first thought when I saw a lumberjack with poor motor skills with a bottle in hand was the famous, “Don’t get high on your own supply” line from Scarface. What started as a calamity he brought upon himself turned into a dedicated effort and rectify the situation and gain a pair of wins out of it (you’ll see in the end). While the film is unrated and silent, for kids’ sake, I would warn about a handful of vulgar gestures and one scene with a pole dance. Outside of that, this is a perfect film to see with a group. The more people to laugh with, the better.
Hundreds of Beavers will arrive at UK & Irish theaters on July 9th.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Mike Cheslik