Shownotes
GUNFIGHTER PARADISE is a dark comedy centered around Christian Fundamentalism and the rising tide of Christo-Fascism in the United States. Set in the very unfortunate here and now of the southern United States, where neighbors have become the “other,” this satire blends comedy and horror to explore the cultural Frankenstein of irreconcilable American ideologies. A hunter returns home to North Carolina with a mysterious green case. Following the death of his mother, he settles back into the family home where his mind begins to disintegrate. Stalked by divine voices and unholy visions, guided by disquiet, his mother’s hand written riddles, and strange visitors further complicate an already splintering mind. A cable man, a mummified cat, zealous neighbors, and a killer swirl through this darkly comic southern gumbo.
About the filmmaker - Director / Writer / Producer / Editor / Cinematographer Jethro Waters, is an Emmy Award Winning filmmaker whose documentary feature F11 AND BE THERE was a New York Times Critic’s Pick and his music video work with John Cale, Angel Olsen, and many others has reached many millions of viewers. Executive Producer Nancy Buirski is a Pulitzer Prize, Emmy Award, and Peabody Winning director, producer, and photographer. Waters was the primary colorist and an advisor for Nancy Buirski’s Academy Award Shortlisted featured documentary Desperate Souls, Dark City, and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy. Waters directed a series of short documentaries on architecture, design, and sustainability, working with architects and luminaries like Tadao Ando, Estudio Ramos, Nacho Figueras, and others. His short experimental film YENE FIKIR opened at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, with a live score performed by acclaimed musician Natalie Prass. His short film REMAINS, a collaboration with legendary Magnum and Life photographer Burk Uzzle, was selected for the Civil Rights museum exhibition “I Am a Man” curated by William R. Ferris, which exhibited in art museums internationally. Legendary Renato Casaro hand painted the Gunfighter Paradise poster.