As Samuel Alabaster (Robert Pattinson) travels across the American Frontier, on a journey to marry the love he has always looked for, Penelope (Mia Wasikowski), life becomes more and more dangerous. Accompanied by his miniature horse, Butterscotch, and drunkard companion, Parson Henry (David Zellner), the lines between hero, villain and damsel in distress become more and more blurred in this comic reinvention of the classic western movie.
Damsel is a 2018 American western comedy written and directed by David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. It stars Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska in lead roles. The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2018 and was released on June 22, 2018, by Magnolia Pictures and Great Point Media.
David and Nathan Zellner assembled the three principal cast members along with 27 crewmembers and 70 extras. Filming was set to last 32 days. Most of the film was shot in Utah, which provided tax incentives for the production. In an interview, Pattinson described the film as, “a kind of slapstick comedy.”
Principal photography began on July 11, 2016 at Wasatch Range in Summit County, Utah. Filming moved to Oregon in late August 2016. Scenes were filmed with Pattinson and Wasikowska on the Oregon Coast on August 25, 2016, after which filming was wrapped.
In February 2017, David Zellner confirmed via an Instagram post that The Octopus Project would compose the score for the film. In March 2017, Pattinson himself confirmed that he is also contributing to the music of the film. In February 2018, it was announced that Russell Mael of the band Sparks was cast in a singing role.
Damsel (2018)
Directed by: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Joseph Billingiere, Morgan Lund, Ray Kelleher, Russell Mael, Sabrina Chappuis, Larry Zeng, Palmer Scott
Screenplay by: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Production Design by: Scott Kuzio
Cinematography by: Adam Stone
Film Editing by: Melba Robichaux
Costume Design by: Terry Anderson
Set Decoration by: Olivia Peebles
Art Direction by: Miles Michael
MPAA Rating: R for some violence, language, sexual material, and brief graphic nudity.
Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: June 22, 2018
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