Asylum Seekers (film)
Encyclopedia
Asylum Seekers is a 2009 American black comedy
film
written and directed by Rania Ajami. The film stars Pepper Binkley
and Daniel Irizarry as two of the six social outcast protagonists who attempt to get themselves committed to an insane asylum in order to spice up their lives. Bill Dawes, Judith Hawking, Stella Maeve, Camille O'Sullivan
and Lee Wilkof
also star.
In its spring 2008 issue, the independent film
magazine Filmmaker reported that Asylum Seekers was one of the first independent feature films to be completed on the Red Digital Cinema Camera Company's Red One camera. The film premiered at the 2009 European Film Market (Berlin International Film Festival
) and was also screened at the 2009 CineVegas
International Film Festival. The rights to global distribution and sales for Asylum Seekers have been obtained by Shoreline Entertainment
.
individuals, bored with their lives and trying to escape their daily routine, attempt to find a radical solution to their boredom by getting themselves admitted into a psychiatric hospital
. Among these individuals are: Maud (Pepper Binkley
), a bored trophy wife who feels trapped in a loveless marriage; Antoine (Daniel Irizarry), a sex-obsessed virgin; Alice (Stella Maeve
), a woman whose only enjoyment comes from computers; Miranda (Camille O'Sullivan
), a paranoid exhibitionist whose inhibitions make her dislike being the center of attention; Paul (Lee Wilkof
), a fanatical right-wing conspiracy theorist; and Alan (Bill Dawes), an androgynous
rapper.
Upon arriving to the asylum, the six individuals are informed that there is only room for one person in the hospital. Nurse Milly (Judith Hawking) informs the individuals that they will now have to compete for the only remaining spot in the asylum. The nurse proceeds to administer tests and contests and whomever she deems to be the craziest and most insane will be declared the winner and will be committed into the institution. The competition and everything in the institution is always watched over and supervised by an unseen character known only as "The Beard".
, director Rania Ajami stated that the idea for the film came from a recurring dream that her brother had about a "giant beard" that was trying to devour him. From the premise of her brother's dreams, Ajami created a play titled The Giant Swearing Beard that told the story of six people trying to break into an asylum. About six years later, Ajami was inspired by discussions about political asylum seekers and decided that a film based on the premise of her play would be a suitable metaphor for the real-world political issues.
With an estimated budget of US $
1.5 million, the creators of the film made adjustments to stay within the modest budget while also attempting to stay true to the "visual scope of the film " and the perceived "fantasy world".
Asylum Seekers was filmed entirely on Red Digital Cinema Camera Company's Red One camera, a digital video camera capable of recording video in 12-megapixel resolution directly to flash memory
or a hard disk drive. As of August 2008, the Red One was being used to film at least 40 feature films but Asylum Seekers is one of the first independent film features to use the camera. The production team of the film opted for the Red One because if offered significant financial savings over a 35 mm film
film camera while not compromising image quality.
Rania Ajami said that the casting process took over a year because she found that the biggest challenge in the production process "was to find good people to work with". The production was then halted for another month before the filming could begin because Ajami had contracted Infectious Mononucleosis
— usually referred to as mono — and had to spend a month in bed.
that was held from February 5 until February 15, 2009 in Berlin
, Germany
. The film was then screened on June 13 and June 14 at the 2009 CineVegas
film festival held annually in Las Vegas
. During the CineVegas festival, the film's promotional and public relations representatives arranged for a wedding to take place on the red carpet immediately before the film's initial showing at the Palms Casino Resort. The film's director Rania Ajami explained the reasoning behind the stunt claiming that the "two institutions, the institution of marriage and the mental institution in which the majority of film is set, were sufficient bonding agents". Further, the Red Carpet wedding was a Las Vegas-centric experience, "couples come to Las Vegas to marry, see shows, Elvis impersonators," Ms. Ajami explained. "We stayed true to the locale of the festival, and created a crazy all Vegas show for a Vegas festival." The bride and groom we're from Houston, Texas
and were selected because they were young, and self-proclaimed "fun" people, which matched the demographic of the film. The infamous Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas helped select the suitable couple.
The film's global distribution and sales rights have been acquired by Shoreline Entertainment
. The deal was negotiated between Shoreline's acquisitions and worldwide distribution departments and Asylum Seekers' producers Molly Connors and Christopher Woodrow and was announced as early as August 2008.
, "creepy imagery" and compared her work to works of Terry Gilliam
and Jean-Pierre Jeunet
.
Film critic T.R. Witcher of the Las Vegas Weekly awarded the film two stars. Witcher also applauded the opening sequences of Asylum Seekers for "brimming with ideas" and that it "begins with a promising premise". Ultimately, Withcher criticized the film by concluding that it lacks "storytelling discipline" and that it contains "even less human emotion". Agreeing with Charles Tatum that Asylum Seekers is "surreal", he felt that its "fairly limp" comedy undercuts the suspensful psychological atmosphere created by the film's surrealism.
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
written and directed by Rania Ajami. The film stars Pepper Binkley
Pepper Binkley
-Film:Stone * Asylum Seekers as "Maud"*Eavesdrop as "Joceyln"*Let Them Chirp Awhile as "Michelle"also audobook with the last song by nicholas sparks-Television:...
and Daniel Irizarry as two of the six social outcast protagonists who attempt to get themselves committed to an insane asylum in order to spice up their lives. Bill Dawes, Judith Hawking, Stella Maeve, Camille O'Sullivan
Camille O'Sullivan
Camille O'Sullivan is a Irish singer, actress, and entertainer. -Background:...
and Lee Wilkof
Lee Wilkof
Lee Wilkof is an American actor and veteran of the Broadway stage. He originated the roles of Sam Byck in Assassins and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, later earning a Tony Award nomination for the 2000 revival of Kiss Me, Kate...
also star.
In its spring 2008 issue, the independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
magazine Filmmaker reported that Asylum Seekers was one of the first independent feature films to be completed on the Red Digital Cinema Camera Company's Red One camera. The film premiered at the 2009 European Film Market (Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
) and was also screened at the 2009 CineVegas
Cinevegas
CineVegas was a film festival held annually at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas that ran from 1999 to 2009, typically in early June. Robin Greenspun serves as the Festival president, and Trevor Groth serves as artistic director. Actor Dennis Hopper is the chairman of the Festival's creative...
International Film Festival. The rights to global distribution and sales for Asylum Seekers have been obtained by Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment is one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies. The company was founded in 1992 by CEO and film producer Morris Ruskin....
.
Plot synopsis
Six introvertedExtraversion and introversion
The trait of extraversion-introversion is a central dimension of human personality theories.Extraverts tend to be gregarious, assertive, and interested in seeking out external stimulus. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be introspective, quiet and less sociable. They are not necessarily loners but...
individuals, bored with their lives and trying to escape their daily routine, attempt to find a radical solution to their boredom by getting themselves admitted into a psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
. Among these individuals are: Maud (Pepper Binkley
Pepper Binkley
-Film:Stone * Asylum Seekers as "Maud"*Eavesdrop as "Joceyln"*Let Them Chirp Awhile as "Michelle"also audobook with the last song by nicholas sparks-Television:...
), a bored trophy wife who feels trapped in a loveless marriage; Antoine (Daniel Irizarry), a sex-obsessed virgin; Alice (Stella Maeve
Stella Maeve
Stella Maeve Johnston is a young American television and film actress. She is best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and in the indie films Harold, The Beautiful Ordinary...
), a woman whose only enjoyment comes from computers; Miranda (Camille O'Sullivan
Camille O'Sullivan
Camille O'Sullivan is a Irish singer, actress, and entertainer. -Background:...
), a paranoid exhibitionist whose inhibitions make her dislike being the center of attention; Paul (Lee Wilkof
Lee Wilkof
Lee Wilkof is an American actor and veteran of the Broadway stage. He originated the roles of Sam Byck in Assassins and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, later earning a Tony Award nomination for the 2000 revival of Kiss Me, Kate...
), a fanatical right-wing conspiracy theorist; and Alan (Bill Dawes), an androgynous
Androgyny
Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ, stem ανδρ- and γυνή , referring to the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics...
rapper.
Upon arriving to the asylum, the six individuals are informed that there is only room for one person in the hospital. Nurse Milly (Judith Hawking) informs the individuals that they will now have to compete for the only remaining spot in the asylum. The nurse proceeds to administer tests and contests and whomever she deems to be the craziest and most insane will be declared the winner and will be committed into the institution. The competition and everything in the institution is always watched over and supervised by an unseen character known only as "The Beard".
Cast and characters
- Pepper BinkleyPepper Binkley-Film:Stone * Asylum Seekers as "Maud"*Eavesdrop as "Joceyln"*Let Them Chirp Awhile as "Michelle"also audobook with the last song by nicholas sparks-Television:...
- Maud - Daniel Irizarry - Antoine Raby
- Bill Dawes - Alan
- Stella MaeveStella MaeveStella Maeve Johnston is a young American television and film actress. She is best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and in the indie films Harold, The Beautiful Ordinary...
- Alice - Camille O'SullivanCamille O'SullivanCamille O'Sullivan is a Irish singer, actress, and entertainer. -Background:...
- Miranda - Lee WilkofLee WilkofLee Wilkof is an American actor and veteran of the Broadway stage. He originated the roles of Sam Byck in Assassins and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, later earning a Tony Award nomination for the 2000 revival of Kiss Me, Kate...
- Paul - Judith Hawking - Nurse Milly
Production
In an interview with indieWireIndieWire
indieWIRE is a daily news site for the independent film community. It covers indie, documentary and foreign language films, as well industry news, film festival reports, filmmaker interviews and movie reviews...
, director Rania Ajami stated that the idea for the film came from a recurring dream that her brother had about a "giant beard" that was trying to devour him. From the premise of her brother's dreams, Ajami created a play titled The Giant Swearing Beard that told the story of six people trying to break into an asylum. About six years later, Ajami was inspired by discussions about political asylum seekers and decided that a film based on the premise of her play would be a suitable metaphor for the real-world political issues.
With an estimated budget of US $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.5 million, the creators of the film made adjustments to stay within the modest budget while also attempting to stay true to the "visual scope of the film " and the perceived "fantasy world".
Asylum Seekers was filmed entirely on Red Digital Cinema Camera Company's Red One camera, a digital video camera capable of recording video in 12-megapixel resolution directly to flash memory
Flash memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
or a hard disk drive. As of August 2008, the Red One was being used to film at least 40 feature films but Asylum Seekers is one of the first independent film features to use the camera. The production team of the film opted for the Red One because if offered significant financial savings over a 35 mm film
35 mm film
35 mm film is the film gauge most commonly used for chemical still photography and motion pictures. The name of the gauge refers to the width of the photographic film, which consists of strips 35 millimeters in width...
film camera while not compromising image quality.
Rania Ajami said that the casting process took over a year because she found that the biggest challenge in the production process "was to find good people to work with". The production was then halted for another month before the filming could begin because Ajami had contracted Infectious Mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
— usually referred to as mono — and had to spend a month in bed.
Release, promotion and distribution
Asylum Seekers had its world premiere on the first day of the 59th Berlin International Film Festival59th Berlin International Film Festival
The 59th Berlin International Film Festival was held from 5 February to 15 February 2009. The opening film of this year's festival was Tom Tykwer’s The International, screened out of competition...
that was held from February 5 until February 15, 2009 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The film was then screened on June 13 and June 14 at the 2009 CineVegas
Cinevegas
CineVegas was a film festival held annually at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas that ran from 1999 to 2009, typically in early June. Robin Greenspun serves as the Festival president, and Trevor Groth serves as artistic director. Actor Dennis Hopper is the chairman of the Festival's creative...
film festival held annually in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. During the CineVegas festival, the film's promotional and public relations representatives arranged for a wedding to take place on the red carpet immediately before the film's initial showing at the Palms Casino Resort. The film's director Rania Ajami explained the reasoning behind the stunt claiming that the "two institutions, the institution of marriage and the mental institution in which the majority of film is set, were sufficient bonding agents". Further, the Red Carpet wedding was a Las Vegas-centric experience, "couples come to Las Vegas to marry, see shows, Elvis impersonators," Ms. Ajami explained. "We stayed true to the locale of the festival, and created a crazy all Vegas show for a Vegas festival." The bride and groom we're from Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and were selected because they were young, and self-proclaimed "fun" people, which matched the demographic of the film. The infamous Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas helped select the suitable couple.
The film's global distribution and sales rights have been acquired by Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment is one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies. The company was founded in 1992 by CEO and film producer Morris Ruskin....
. The deal was negotiated between Shoreline's acquisitions and worldwide distribution departments and Asylum Seekers
Reception
Charles Tatum of eFilmCritic.com awarded Asylum Seekers three stars calling the film's initial set-up as "promising" and declaring that "the possibilities are endless" after watching the opening part of the film. However, Tatum criticized the film for being too "bizarre" and "exhausting", stating that his opinion that "the surrealism should have been toned down" and concluded by calling the film "even more insane than its characters". He also added that, although the film lacked "strong characterization", the cast deserved praise for a "great job playing characters that are way way out there". Tatum did commend the director for her use of widescreenWidescreen
Widescreen images are a variety of aspect ratios used in film, television and computer screens. In film, a widescreen film is any film image with a width-to-height aspect ratio greater than the standard 1.37:1 Academy aspect ratio provided by 35mm film....
, "creepy imagery" and compared her work to works of Terry Gilliam
Terry Gilliam
Terrence Vance "Terry" Gilliam is an American-born British screenwriter, film director, animator, actor and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Gilliam is also known for directing several films, including Brazil , The Adventures of Baron Munchausen , The Fisher King , and 12 Monkeys...
and Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Jean-Pierre Jeunet
-Life and career:Jean-Pierre Jeunet was born in Roanne, Loire, France. He bought his first camera at the age of 17 and made short films while studying animation at Cinémation Studios. He befriended Marc Caro, a designer and comic book artist who became his longtime collaborator and...
.
Film critic T.R. Witcher of the Las Vegas Weekly awarded the film two stars. Witcher also applauded the opening sequences of Asylum Seekers for "brimming with ideas" and that it "begins with a promising premise". Ultimately, Withcher criticized the film by concluding that it lacks "storytelling discipline" and that it contains "even less human emotion". Agreeing with Charles Tatum that Asylum Seekers is "surreal", he felt that its "fairly limp" comedy undercuts the suspensful psychological atmosphere created by the film's surrealism.
See also
- 2009 in film2009 in filmThe year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
- Cinema of the United StatesCinema of the United StatesThe cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
- List of American films of 2009