Etienne! A Movie About a Hamster Becomes Cinderella Story
The independent film about a small animal with terminal cancer receives the "Jury Award"
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by George S. Mc Quade III
Etienne! will screen at the Honolulu film festival in Hawaii and in New York City in October at both events.
The CineVegas Film Festival also premiered Etienne! this month,and it is the winner of the CineVegas festival’s “Filmmaker To Watch” award this year.
After Richard’s best and only friend, a dwarf hamster named Etienne, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Richard decides to take him on a bicycle road trip up the California coast to show him the world before he must put him to sleep.
First-time director Jeff Mizushima balances the comedy with the genuine drama between hamster and man. Influenced by 70’s films–in a good way–Etienne! also has a terrific soundtrack with songs by Dan Deacon, Great Northern, The Happy Hollows and others.
Preceding the feature is Acting for the Camera by Justin Nowell, a funny and very messed-up 15-minute short that won CineVegas’ Best Short Film Director award. About a week ago CineFamily packed the house with the independent feature at the SILENT THEATER.
SUCCESSFUL PREMIERE AT LIGHTHOUSE
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel hostedt a special screening of the new independent feature film “Etienne!,” last June 19. The hostel served as a shooting location for the film, which follows a young man who takes his terminally ill hamster on the bicycle road trip of a lifetime. Writer-director Jeff Mizushima, lead actor Richard Vallejos, and producer Giacun Caduff was in attendance at the screenings.
ETIENNE! earned Jury Award at CineVegas Festival in Las Vegas.
Mizushima’s intention for the film was to tell this “tiny” story as if it were made in a different era. No sex, violence, or drugs—just a small and personable story about the relationship between humans and their animal companions. When Richard (played by Richard Vallejos) learns that his best friend, a dwarf hamster named Etienne, must be euthanized, he decides to take him out to see the world. The pair travel up the California coast, stopping along the way at picturesque spots including the Davenport cliffs, Henry Cowell State Park, and Mount Tamalpais.
“Etienne!” also stars Megan Harvey and Caveh Zahedi, and includes an appearance and performance by L.A. indie pop band Great Northern. For more information about the film, visit http://www.hamstermovie.com.
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel is operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel.
The best part of the screening of “Etienne!” (The Hamster Movie) – free admission.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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