Talk about a calling card first film. One of the most talked about films at the Sundance Film Festival this year was SWISS ARMY MAN, from “Daniels,” the collective name for co-writers/directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Although they’ve done a fair amount of television, shorts and music videos (most notably the DJ Snake & Lil Jon clip for “Turn Down for What), SWISS ARMY MAN is their first feature, and it’s as absurd as it is remarkable and moving. It stars Paul Dano as a stranded man who has given up being rescued and is on the verge of suicide when he finds a dead body on the shores of the island where he now resides. The corpse is played by Daniel Radcliffe, the two become friends, and that’s all you need to know.
The film belongs in a canon with the early works of Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze, especially his innovative music videos. It’s loaded with creativity, energy, and so much heart that it will likely make you cry and applaud at the same time. The stories you might have heard about people walking out at the Sundance screenings because the film was too weird were likely about folks who have no soul or sense of humor. If anything, those stories should inspire you all the more to see it as soon as humanly possible.
And it just so happens I have many seats for an advance Chicago screening for Ain’t It Cool News readers of SWISS ARMY MAN, this Sunday, June 26 at 7:30pm, with co-writers/directors Daniels (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) introducing their extraordinary film at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here’s how to win…
To win, send me an email at SwissChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Powered by Gas” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a guest (each winner may bring ONE, confirmed guest--if I think you gave your extra ticket to someone trolling for free tickets at the theater, you won't get in), and the answer to the following question: “What’s the strangest film you’ve ever seen that you also happen to love, and why?” I need the person’s name and a detailed reason for your choice. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 100 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers (as judged by me) win, and you'll hear from me very soon if you won, so check your email over the next few days.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners’ seats will be reserved until 30 minutes before showtime (meaning 7:00pm). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house for our guest. If you can't arrive by 7:00pm, don't enter this contest. If you show up at the last minute, there is no guarantee that your seats will be good or together. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guests will have to back out of attending or arrive late if you do win, don't enter. If you have a job that might make you late or unable to attend, or an ill/pregnant relative, or a temperamental significant other, or a scratchy throat, do not enter. And the 24-hour-notice-to-cancel rule is done. If you win and don't show up, the Black List is your new best friend.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to the A24 for giving us this very cool screening and bringing these awesome guests to Chicago.
