Zapata (Cousins)(2023)

The third outing for Danesh Eghbashavi was filmed with two iPhones, a small hand-held camera, a GoPro action camera, and the appreciable influence of Roger Corman. This rousing genre blend of comedy, detective story and mockumentary demonstrates that, even in the present day, independent film can incorporate aspects of the revolutionary gesture. In a brisk and complex way it tells a story which might suggest it was filmed by its protagonists as a live broadcast. The sophisticated narrative composition is akin to the process of opening out Chinese nested boxes – the characters know what is going to happen and they provide the appropriate commentary as well. Archive shots are also added to the mix. An explosive world premiere.