Director: David Zellner

Producer:  Nathan Zellner, Chris Ohlson, Zack Carlson (Associate Producer)

Written (Original Script):  David Zellner & Nathan Zellner

Role:  Samuel Alabaster

Costars:  Mia Wasikowska (Penelope), Joseph Billingiere (Zacharia), Gabriel Casdorph (Anton), Landon Weeks (Saloon Piano Player), David Zellner (Parson Henry), Nathan Zellner (Rufus Cornell), Robert Forster (Old Preacher), Palmer Scott (Town Barber), Morgan Lund, Ray Kelleher, David Wingo, Russell Mael, Larry Zeng, Gary Brookins 

Special Effects: Ryan Roundy

Cinematographer:  Adam Stone

Production Designer: Scott Kuzio

Costume Designer:  Terry Anderson

Premieres:  2018 Sundance Film Festival (World Premiere) 23 January 2018) ~ 2018 Berlinale (International Premiere) 16 February 2018

Production Company:  Damsel Productions

International Sales + Distributors: Great Point Media 

• Distributors
  • (GB) – Worldwide (All Media)

(Note: Release Dates sorted by month released (not alphabetical).   If release contains * next to theatrical release denotes DVD|Preorder links available in DVD section below)

2019

January

• Iceland – 27 to 31 January 2019

2018

January

• USA (Sundance Film Festival) – 23 January 2018 premiere | screenings 24, 27 and 28 January 2018 *

June

• US (Distributor:  Magnolia Pictures) – 22 June 2018 (New York | LA) – List of cinema screenings 22/6 to 13/8)

September

• Russia (Distributor: Rocket Releasing) – 13 September 2018

2019

MARCH

• UK – 18 March (Distributor: Universal Pics UK) (preorder link available)
• The Netherlands & Belgium – 20 March 2019
• France DVD (Distributor: Universal) – 20 March 2019
• SPAIN (Distributor: UniversalDVD_Bluray) – 22 March 2019

MAY

• Greece – 17 May 2019
• Germany – (Distributor: Universal Pictures) 23 May 2019
• Australia (Distributor: Universal Sony Music Home Entertainment) – 29 May 2019

2018

• USA – 18 September 2018 (preorder link available)

2018

January

• 2018 Sundance Film Festival (World Premiere) – 23 January 2018 | additional screenings 24, 27 and 28 January 2018

February

• 2018 Berlin International Film Festival (In Competition + International Premiere) – 16 February 2018

March

• SXSW 2018 (Austin, Texas) – (Category: Festival Favourites) – 12, 13, 16 & 17 March 2018

April

• San Francisco International FF – 14 April 2018

• Capital City Film Festival (Lansing, Michigan) – 14 April 2018 *Midwest Premiere*

May

• Boston International FF – 1 May 2018
• Maryland Film Festival (US) – 4 & 5 May 2018
• Montclair Film (New Jersey, US) – 5 & 6 May 2018
• The Chicago Critics FF – 6 May 2018 + Zellner Bros Q&A
• Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (Calif, US) – Opening Night Film – 23 May 2018
• Vancouver International Film Festival (Canada) – 27 May 2018

June

• Duluth Superior Film Festival (Minnesota) – 1 June 2018
• Rooftop Films Summer Slate (Brooklyn, NY) – 2 June 2018
• Stock Island Film Festival (Key West, Florida) – 7 June 2018 + Zellner Bros Q&A
• Las Vegas Film Festival  – 6 June at 9.30pm and 9 June  at 7.30pm
• USC Cinematic Arts (Los Angeles) – Advance Screening 11 June 2018 + Zellner Bros Q&A
• Oak Cliff Film Festival (Dallas, Texas) – 16 June 2018
• Champs-Elysee Film Festival (Paris, France) – closing night film – 19 June 2018
• Film Society Lincoln Centre (NYC) – Zellner Bros Q&A – 21 June 2018
• Austin Film Society (Premiere with Zellner Bros Q&A) – 28 June 2018
• Karlovy FIlm Festival (Czech Republic | Section:  Horizons) – 30 June 2018

July

• Karlovy FIlm Festival (Czech Republic | Section:  Horizons) – 2 & 7 July 2018
• Galway Film Fleadh (Ireland) – 14 July 2018
• Lumina Festival (UNCW, North Carolina) – 15 July 2018
• Filmtopia (New Orleans, USA) – 25 July 2018
• Chattanooga Film Festival Presents (USA) – 28 July 2018

August

• Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia) – 4 and 6 August 2018
• Sidewalk Film Festival (Alabama) – 26 August 2018

October

• Busan International Film Festival (Korea) – Asian Premiere – 6, 8 and 11 October 2018
• Milwaukee Film Festival (US) 23 & 25 October 2018
• American Film Festival (Poland) – 26 and 27 October 2018

November

• Leiden International Film Festival (Netherlands) American Indie Competition – 3,  4 & 7 November 2018. David Zellner attending

2019

March

• American Film Festival (Barcelona, Spain) – 5 to 10 March 2019 – Date to be confirmed.

INITIAL REVIEWS

• RPAU ROUNDUP:  Initial Reviews (Sundance Film Festival)
• Official Trailer Release (22 May 2018)

COMPREHENSIVE

• RPAU ROUNDUP:  DAMSEL Movie Reviews (updated regularly on releases)

• Website:  Zellner Bros | DamselMovie
• Twitter: Zellner Bros | Nathan Zellner | Chris Ohlson | Damselthefilm
• Instagram: David Zellner | DamselMovie
• Facebook: Zellner Bros | DamselMovie
• Vimeo:  Zellner Bros
• YouTube:  Zellner Bros

• Gallery – Promotional Stills
• Gallery – Theatrical & Promotional Posters

• Premieres, Film Festivals, Special Screenings & Press Junkets includes:
  • Sundance Film Festival World Premiere & Press Junket (22-23 January 2018)
  • Berlin International Film Festival International Premiere (16 February 2018)
  • Los Angeles Premiere (Arclight Cinema, 13 June 2018)

2016

• Production Weekly Mentions Robert Pattinson – Zellner Bros “Damsel”
• Film Update: Now Listed on IMDbPro
• Film Update: IMDbPro Updates with new Summary and Crew Added: Cinematographer & Costumer Designer
• Film Update: Robert Pattinson & Mia Wasikowska Added to Cast on IMDbPro
• Film Update: IMDbPro Adds Joseph Billingiere as Zacharia
• Film Update: Production Wraps in Utah
• Film Update: Set Photos from Oregon
• Film Update: Oregon Wrap + Possible Early 2017 Release
• Production Status: Robert Pattinson ‘Damsel’ Now In ‘Post-Production’ On IMDbPro
• Cast Update: Gabe Casdorph Listed as “Anton” on IMDbPro
• Cast Update: Landon Weeks Joins as Saloon Piano Player
• Film Update:  Zellner Bros Announce Damsel
• FILM UPDATES: Screen Daily Reports about Robert Pattinson Films “High Life” & “Damsel” at AFM 2016
• Festival Predictions:  Ioncinema Includes Damsel for 2017 Sundance Film Festival
• *NEW* Cast & Crew Photo from the Set of Damsel Featuring Robert Pattinson

2017

• The Utah Film Awards Includes Zellner Bros “Damsel” in Top 10 Films/Series Shot in Utah | Confirms 2017 Release
• Robert Pattinson Films Making “Anticipated” & “Looking Forward To” Lists for 2017
• FILM UPDATE:  IMDbPro Reveals More Cast Mates
• Film News: David Zellner Confirms Octopus Project Working on Soundtrack
• FILM UPDATE: Chris Ohlson Provides an Update “deeeeeeeep in the edit…. it starts to get weird. #damsel”
• PRINT:  Robert Pattinson Confirms He’s Doing Music for Zellner Bros #Damsel | Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Interview for Metro (UK)
• FILM UPDATE:  Chris Ohlson Teases Us with “Life in the Edit Room” #Damsel
• Indiewire Predictions on Films That Have a Serious Shot at Cannes 2017
• Film Update: Robert Pattinson Performing “Honeybun” on Damsel Soundtrack
• Film Update:  Zellner Bros added to Cast on IMDbPro
• FILM UPDATE: Robert Pattinson Character Name in #Damsel Revealed as “Samuel”
• FILM UPDATE: The Octopus Project Confirm #Damsel Score Almost Complete | 2018 Premiere
• FESTIVAL PREDICTIONS: .@zellnerbros #Damsel Making Sundance 2018 Wish Lists
• PRINT: Robert Pattinson talks Upcoming Projects, Directors & More with IndieWire (Damsel mention)
• Printable Program for Sundance
• FESTIVAL UPDATE: #Damsel Premieres on 23 Jan ’18 .@sundancefest + Screenings on 24, 27 & 28 Jan ’18
• SOCIAL MEDIA: New Shot of Samual Alabaster & his Tiny Horse Shared by #Damsel Crew Member
• RPAU ROUNDUP: Robert Pattinson Films Making “Most Anticipated” Lists of 2018 *Updated frequently*

2018

• NEW Cast Photo Featuring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska on Set
• FILM MARKETS: #Damsel Part of European Film Market Lineup | Berlinale 15 – 23 February 2018
• FILM UPDATE: The Octopus Project Talk #Damsel Score “We decided to go with more of a natural instrumentation”
• FILM FESTIVALS: Robert Pattinson #Damsel Joins Competition Line Up at #Berlinale + World Premiere
• NEW: The Hollywood Reporter Shares Images of Robert Pattinson in #Damsel “a loving reinvention of the Western genre”
• FESTIVAL UPDATE: Variety Studio At Sundance Will Interview Top Festival Stars ~ Robert Pattinson #Damsel
• PRINT INTERVIEW: .@zellnerbros talk Robert Pattinson and #Damsel with The Film Stage *contains spoilers*
• *NEW* Still of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster #Damsel on .@THR Berlinale Day 1 Cover + Review  *contains spoilers*
• NEW Still of Samuel Alabaster shared by Adam Stone
• Three Samuel Alabaster Stills Now in HQ
• NEW STILL: Adam Stone Shares Robert Pattinson #SamuelAlabaster Still ~ #Damsel
• NEW HQ: EW Shares Still of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster #Damsel
• Damsel included in Cannes 2018 Lineup (Distributors & Sellers)
• NEW: Official Damsel Social Media & Website Now Live – New Footage at Website – Follow #DamselMovie
• NEW: #DamselMovie Poster and Stills Featuring Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster
• DAMSEL: Screencaps and GIFS Featuring Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Zellner Bros Add New #DamselMovie Cover Photo to their Facebook Page
• NEW: #DamselMovie Shares Still of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster “I’m just a man who believes in love, plain and simple”
• FILM UPDATE: Magnolia Pics Adds #DamselMovie Press Kit ~ Production Notes + Stills in HQ incl New Still of Samuel Alabaster *SPOILERS*
• NEW FOOTAGE: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster Shows Off His Gunslinging in #DamselMovie
• OFFICIAL STILL: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster “On A Journey to Find His One True Love” ~ #DamselMovie
• NEW STILLS & TEASER VIDEO: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster in #Damsel
• NEW TEASER: #DamselMovie Shares Teaser Clip of “Soon to Be Mrs Penelope Alabaster”
• NEW VIDEO: Robert Pattinson Showing His Comedic Skills in #DamselMovie Promo Clip
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Robert Pattinson & Mia Wasikowska Live Twitter Q&A 13 June 2018 #AskDamsel ~ #DamselMovie
• NEW TEASER: .@DamselMovie Shares Footage of Samuel Alabaster and Penelope “It Was Love at First Sight”
• NEW STILL: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster
• TV APPEARANCE: Robert Pattinson Will Appear on The Tonight Show Starring .@jimmyfallon ~ 20 June 2018 #DamselMovie
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Robert Pattinson & Mia Wasikowska Start US Press Junket for #DamselMovie
• NEW TEASER: Samuel Alabaster Introduces Us to Butterscotch #DamselMovie – ‘She’s Very Rare, Possibly Even Unique’
• NEW: @EW Shares Exclusive @DamselMovie “Honeybun” Clip and Print Interview With Robert Pattinson
• SOCIAL MEDIA: New BTS Photo of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster #DamselMovie
• NEW: Photo of Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, and @DamselMovie Directors @zellnerbros @nathanzellner | #TeamDamsel
• NEW: @DamselMovie Stills Featuring Robert Pattinson and @zellnerbros
• NEW TEASER CLIP: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster #DamselMovie “That’s Prime Rotgut”
• VIDEO INTERVIEW: Why .@Zellnerbros Wanted to Work with Robert Pattinson: “sense of adventure & excitement…diving into something new to him
• PRINT INTERVIEW: .@zellnerbros talk Robert Pattinson’s “Physicality” with MovieMaker Magazine
• NEW PROMO STILL: Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster #DamselMovie
• 4 New Promo Stills of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster
• 38 New Promo Stills of Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster
• VIDEO: Robert Pattinson Features in New #Damsel Clip Shared by iTunes| Now Available in the US

2020

• PEOPLE TALKING ROB: .@TFSBSide Podcast celebrate Robert Pattinson B-Side Films #RememberMe #WFE #QotD #Damsel

• External Articles of Interest
  • David Zellner In Conversation (Sydney Film Festival)
  • Miles K Michael (Art Director) Set Photos (via)
  • FilmakerMag “Chaos Has its Own Reward”: Directors David and Nathan Zellner | Damsel – Sundance 2018
  • PODCAST: The Zellner Brothers on Why You Need to Do Something New With Every Film You Make

HISTORICAL STATUS:

• Film announced:  9 June 2016 Utah Film Commission Press Release
• Filming:  Commenced 13 July 2016 via IMDbPro
• Filming completed: Utah:  20 August 2016 | Oregon:  26 August 2016
• Post Production: 28 August 2016
• World Premiere:  Sundance Film Festival 23 January 2018
• International Premiere:  Berlin International Film Festival ~ 16 February 2018

SYNOPSIS:

Premise:  “Western era comedy about a man trying to marry the woman of his dreams” (from Production Weekly)

Summary:  “A businessman travels West to join his fiancée in the mountains.” (IMDbPro)

Cinando:  The Wild West, circa 1880 – Samuel Alabaster ventures to the edge of the frontier to save the kidnapped love of his life, Penelope. As the journey proceeds, it becomes increasingly clear that Samuel is not the hero he claims to be, and Penelope is far from a “damsel in distress”.

Sundance:   It’s a classic tale of the Old West: Samuel Alabaster is a man searching for his true love. Parson Henry is another, much drunker man, searching for a new start. Penelope is a woman who’s not particularly interested in being found. And Rufus Cornell is just a mean bastard with a taste for buckskin. There’s rotgut, rawhide, rootin’, tootin’, and hootin’. Plus, a little tiny horse.  … The Zellners’ off-kilter enthusiasm must be infectious, as the whole cast joyfully embraces the loopy rhythms and bonkers logic of this unfamiliar frontier.  So saddle up and prepare to git along—just don’t be surprised if you end up somewheres you never expected.

Berlinale:  Samuel Alabaster, more greenhorn than pioneer, sets off into the vast expanse of the American wilderness. He’s looking for Penelope, the love of his life and the woman he wants to marry. He is accompanied by his guitar, the miniature pony Butterscotch that he’s brought along as a wedding gift, and Parson Henry, the man he’s hired as master of ceremonies, who is a bit of a tippler. And so the motley crew sets off, but no sooner do they overcome some initial hurdles than Samuel comes out with the whole truth: Penelope must be freed from the clutches of a kidnapper – if necessary by force. Her abductor is apparently holding her captive in a remote log cabin. However, it seems that their plans to liberate the potential bride were forged without the lady’s consent, and feisty Penelope is not at all inclined to become Mrs Alabaster. … Just like the hero and his very little pony, so too does this bold interpretation of the western meander – through satire, slapstick and parody. A serious dimension is nonetheless ensured, not least by the film’s resilient heroine who is quite capable of asserting her own will with a shotgun in her hand.