Project of the Day: ‘Rodents of Unusual Size,’ an Ode to Nutria
Here’s your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.
In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
“Rodents of Unusual Size”
Tweetable Logline:
Elevator Pitch:
The fragile wetlands of Louisiana are under
relentless attack by legions of 20 pound semi-aquatic invasive rodents
known as the nutria, which have greatly accelerated coastal erosion and
made the bayou much more vulnerable to hurricanes. Keeping the giant
swamp rats at bay are a group of colorful and off-beat residents, who
are in the midst of defending their land, culture, and way-of-life.
RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE tells the story of how invasive species,
environmental issues, and a unique group of people are colliding at the
edge of the world in an attempt to protect coastal Louisiana before it
disappears.
Production Team:
JEFF SPRINGER (Co-Director/Cinematographer)
QUINN COSTELLO ((Co-Director/Editor)
Prior credits: Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer’s feature length
directorial debut was the offbeat environmental documentary, PLAGUES
& PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA, about the people who have carved out
their own slice of paradise on the shores of California’s newest
ecological disaster, the surreal Salton Sea. Narrated by legendary
counterculture filmmaker and “King of Trash” John Waters, the film
premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival and went on to win over 37
awards for Best Documentary and screen at 200 film festivals worldwide.
A cult favorite, the film was released theatrically in the United
States and broadcast nationally on the Sundance Channel.
Chris Metzler followed up that film by directing (and Jeff Springer
shooting and editing) the documentary, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE: THE STORY OF
FISHBONE, about the legendary rock-ska-funk band. The film premiered at
the Los Angeles Film Festival, screened at SXSW, and aired nationally on
PBS in 2012.
About the Production:
from an old Cajun family and she introduced me to the subject matter of
nutria. When I heard about these giant swamp rats I couldn’t believe
it. Everybody knows about the oil spills, broken levies, and devastating
hurricanes, but most don’t know that one of the bizarre contributors to
the receding coastline is a 20lb rodent from South America. The nutria
has become an ironic source of income and food in Louisiana but it has
also been positioned to change the very shape of the state forever.” — Chris Metzler
Current Status:
For more information and to support this projprect:
Kickstarter Page (No Longer Active)
Production Company Website
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