Earthlings Premieres In Competition at 2023 Goteborg International Film Festival
Goteborg International Film Festival announces the World Premiere of “Earthlings”, from Oregon-based filmmaker Steven Doughton, as the only US film in the 2023 International Competition. The film is an examination of class, family, duty and addiction in the United States.
Based on the short story by Portland author Jonathan Raymond (Mildred Pierce, First Cow), the film follows the story of two Mexican day laborers who are invited to their employer's private dinner party, leading to a clash of cultures and beliefs. The film features a talented cast including Luis Chávez, Kelvin Han Yee, Daniel Edward Mora, Tina Holmes, and James LeGros. The film is produced by Jacqueline Gault and Doughton, and has been praised by Executive Producer Todd Haynes, who was also an EP on Doughton’s first film Buoy, for its exploration of "the simplest of American ideas and the most complex”. Anna Byvald of Silver Films serves as the film’s Swedish co-producer.
"I've always been drawn to dialogue-rich movies, in which dramatic shifts in plot or character can hinge on a single thread of conversation," said Doughton. "In 'Earthlings,' the audience should discover (as the characters themselves do) that these five people have secrets and depths they rarely share with anyone."
“We completed the film just prior to the pandemic, and were crushed when festivals went online for nearly two years. We wanted the big festival premiere experience, so we held the film back and waited patiently,” notes Gault. “We’re thrilled that our patience finally paid off!”
The festival will present audiences with three opportunities to see the film: February 2, 2023 at the Bio Roy at 8:00 pm; February 3, 2023 at the Biopalatset at 8:45 pm; and February 4, 2023 at the Göta at 1:30 pm.
Steven Doughton is a writer and director from Portland, Oregon. His films have played at Viennale, MoMA and Anthology Film Archives, and he has directed music videos for Aphex Twin and Stephen Malkmus. His films are part of the permanent collection at MoMA in New York.
About the Gothenburg International Film Festival
The Gothenburg International Film Festival is one of the leading film festivals in Scandinavia, showcasing a wide range of international and Scandinavian films. The festival takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is known for its strong focus on new talents and innovative works.
