Title: Low-Budget Film “Hundreds of Beavers” Packs Theaters with Unique Marketing Strategy
Last week, a low-budget movie shot in black and white, featuring no Hollywood stars, drew a full house at the IFC Center in Manhattan. “Hundreds of Beavers,” directed by Mike Cheslik and starring Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, has been making waves with its unconventional marketing tactics.
The film’s success can be attributed to its unique selling point – two life-size beavers and a horse, all played by humans, who interacted with the audience before the screening. This live make-believe beaver fight, reminiscent of a vaudeville act, has captured the attention of moviegoers and helped sell out screenings across the Great Lakes states.
Despite its seemingly absurd premise, “Hundreds of Beavers” is a sophisticated film that blends silent film performance styles with animation, slapstick comedy, and stop-motion graphics. The movie’s creators, Cheslik and Tews, drew inspiration from classic comedies and their Midwestern roots to create a film that resonates with audiences.
The film, which was made on a shoestring budget in Wisconsin, has been a labor of love for Cheslik, Tews, and their team. Despite facing challenges in finding a distributor, independent theaters have embraced the film, leading to additional screenings and a growing fan base.
“Hundreds of Beavers” is set to return to the IFC Center for a one-week run, followed by releases in other markets and on-demand platforms. Audiences have praised the film for its creativity, humor, and heart, proving that a little ingenuity and a lot of passion can go a long way in the world of cinema.
