Life comes for us all, even slacker filmmakers. Michigan-based indie stalwart Joel Potrykus has at all times explored loneliness in his work, however his newest, “Vulcanizadora,” plumbs a selected middle-aged variant. That is the alienation of divorced dads changing into estranged from their youngsters; the existential hell of realizing that you simply’ve made errors and that there’s nothing you are able to do to alter them. In some methods, that is Potrykus’ model of “No Exit.”
To underline the passage of time, “Vulcanizadora” revives the characters Potrykus and his muse Joshua Burge performed in 2014’s “Buzzard.” Ten years later, Marty Jackitansky (Burge) and Derek Skiba (Potrykus) are the identical overgrown adolescents they as soon as had been, at the same time as their circumstances have modified. Someday previously decade, Derek obtained married, had a child, after which obtained divorced. In the meantime, Marty’s petty crimes have escalated, with penalties which might be tougher to flee than these of his check-fraud scheme in “Buzzard.”
For its first half hour, “Vulcanizadora” is a typical Potrykus hangout film, following Marty and Derek as they hike out into the woods in direction of an unclear vacation spot. In the event you concentrate, Potrykus and Burge reveal clues as to what, precisely, these guys are doing out right here as they stroll — other than blowing up M-80s and digging up moldy porno mags, in fact. However these hints get swept away within the river of endearingly pathetic cool-guy banter that flows out of Potrykus’ mouth. Burge, his face as expressive as at all times, principally simply listens.
The bullshit lulls the viewers right into a false sense of security, lending shock worth to the reveal of Marty’s newest Erector-set weapon — and what he plans to do with it — halfway by means of the movie. The dialogue scene that follows is essentially the most unnerving form of darkish comedy, hinging on a second that abruptly shifts the tone from goofy “dudes rock” hangout to bleak irony. The remaining is despair, as makes an attempt at accountability and redemption are met with hostility and indifference. There are nonetheless jokes in these later scenes, however “black comedy” isn’t fairly adequate. Vantablack comedy, possibly?
Potrykus describes “Vulcanizadora” as his “most private” in addition to his “bleakest” work. It’s obtained a home made contact, for positive: The film was shot in Potrykus’ hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a minimal solid, low cost places, and a crew stuffed with household and buddies (Joel’s associate Ashley Potrykus produced the film, and their son Solo co-stars as Derek’s son Jeremy). The manufacturing’s modest scale is presumably what allowed Potrykus to shoot “Vulcanizadora” on 16mm, an funding that pays off with the easy aesthetic attraction of movie grain.
In a mirrored image of the director’s maturing tastes, “Vulcanizadora” provides arias to Potrykus’ traditional heavy-metal musical cues, making this the uncommon film to characteristic each Maria Callas and a Sepultura aspect challenge on its soundtrack. The melodrama of opera matches the sadder tone of this movie: These aren’t offended younger males anymore, however defeated middle-aged ones. Fairly than persevering with to rage towards a world that refuses to acknowledge them, the Marty and Derek we see in “Vulcanizadora” are overwhelmed by their insignificance.
Prior to now, Potrykus, or no less than his characters, had been content material to numb their existential terror with junk meals and video video games. However ultimately, shit will get actual. There are issues in life which you can’t keep away from, and issues which you can’t take again. “Vulcanizadora” doesn’t know the way to deal with these truths, and can alienate a lot, if not most, of its viewers because of this. However the honesty with which it expresses these darkish ideas is commendable — and extra reflective than a dozen articles on the “male loneliness epidemic.”
Grade: B
“Vulcanizadora” premiered on the 2024 Tribeca Competition. It’s presently searching for U.S. distribution.