Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)

Director:

Goran Dukic

Writers:

Etgar Keret (short story "Kneller's Happy Campers")
Goran Dukic (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

Life is a trip, but the afterlife is one hell of a ride.

Plot:

A film set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide.

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Russian | Hitchhiker | Death | Afterlife

Awards:

9 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Patrick Fugit	...	Zia
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Mikal
Shea Whigham	...	Eugene
Leslie Bibb	...	Desiree
Mark Boone Junior	...	Mike (as Mark Boone Jr.)
Abraham Benrubi	...	Erik
Cameron Bowen	...	Kostya
Mikal P. Lazarev	...	Nanuk
Clayne Crawford	...	Jim
Tom Waits	...	Kneller
Chase Ellison	...	Kid Kostya
John Hawkes	...	Yan
Will Arnett	...	Messiah
Adam G.	...	Gas Station Attendant
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Eugene's Mother
Aaron Parker Mouser	...	Max (as Aaron Mouser)
Nick Offerman	...	Cop
Anatol Rezmeritza	...	Eugene's Father
Sarah Roemer	...	Rachel
Amy Seimetz	...	Nina
Azura Skye	...	Tania
Sharone Meir	...	Doctor (as Sharon Meir)
Jonathan Alberts	...	Funeral Attendant
Michael Brodersen	...	Funeral Attendant (as Mike Brodersen)
John Brookbank	...	Funeral Attendant
Chris Coen	...	Funeral Attendant
Erica Nicotra	...	Funeral Attendant
Alexis Spraic	...	Funeral Attendant
Anthony Azizi	...	Hassan
Azazel Jacobs	...	Kamakaze Pizza Patron
David Baum	...	Eugene's Band
Nicki Nevlin	...	Eugene's Band
Emily Yanez	...	Eugene's Band
Alicia Warrington	...	Eugene's Band
Rob Hall	...	Eugene's Band
James Fraijo	...	Man in White (as James Fraigo)
Reedy Gibbs	...	Max's Teacher
Nils Allen Stewart	...	Messiah Bodyguard (as Nils Stewart)
Brian David	...	Messiah Double
Jakub Dolezal	...	Messiah Double (as Jacob Dolezal)
Bonnie Aarons	...	Messiah Worshipper
Goran Dukic	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.)
Ernst Gossner	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.)
Chris Hanley	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.)
Ava Metz	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.)
Wilbur Schwartz	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.) (as Dr. Wilbur Schwartz)
Zia Harris	...	Pizza Delivery Guy
Marlon Mark	...	Soldier
Peter Wulff	...	Soldier
Irwin Keyes	...	Stiff Drinks Bartender
Bridget Powers	...	Stripper (as Bridget Powerz)
Rachel Stolte	...	Stripper
Jonathan Schwartz	...	Train Conductor
Shay Morgan Brook	...	Train Passenger
Jazzmun	...	Transvestite
George Weiss Vando	...	Tranvestite
Vicky Reineger	...	Vicky
Mark Fredrichs	...	Zia's Father
Julia Sanford	...	Zia's Mother (as Julie Sanford)
Foxie	...	Freddy the Dog
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lonnie Beard	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Jake Busey	...	Brian (uncredited)
Troy DeWalt	...	People in Charge (P.I.C.) (uncredited)
Mark Edward Smith	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Eddie Steeples	...	Josh (uncredited)

Directed by
Goran Dukic

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Goran Dukic		screenplay
Etgar Keret		short story "Kneller's Happy Campers"

Produced by
Charles Arthur Berg	....	line producer (as Charles Berg)
Chris Coen	....	producer
Tatiana Kelly	....	producer
Mikal P. Lazarev	....	producer
Jonathan Schwartz	....	executive producer
Linda Sena	....	associate producer
Adam Sherman	....	producer
Chapin Wilson	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Bobby Johnston

Cinematography by
Vanja Cernjul

Film Editing by
Jonathan Alberts

Casting by
Shannon Makhanian

Production Design by
Linda Sena

Set Decoration by
Julie Ochipinti

Costume Design by
Erica Nicotra

Makeup Department
Lysette Castellanos	....	makeup artist
Mandi Crane	....	key makeup artist (as Mandi Maugh)
Robert Hall	....	special makeup designer: Almost Human
Debra Martinez	....	makeup artist (as Debbie Martinez)
Sherri Simmons	....	makeup department head
Sherri Simmons	....	special makeup effects artist
Josh Hagen	....	character designer (uncredited)
Debbie Mezera	....	office manager: Almost Human, Inc. (uncredited)

Production Management
Michael Brodersen	....	post-production supervisor (as Mike Brodersen)
Ric Smith	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sam Epstein	....	first assistant director
Sonja Langhorst	....	second second assistant director
Mikal P. Lazarev	....	second unit director
Irwin Miller	....	first assistant director
James Roland	....	second assistant director

Art Department
John Brookbank	....	swing gang
Aurelie Comboul	....	set dresser
Emily Douglas	....	set dresser
Brandon Gonsalves	....	swing gang
Charles Randolph	....	props
Sam Rhymes	....	props
Roger Shaide	....	on-set dresser
Don Varley	....	swing gang
Joseph Hui	....	art department production assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lee Ascher	....	sound mixer
Jesse Cairnie	....	boom operator
Mariel Lohninger	....	additional sound mixer (as Mariel Loninger)
Joe Milner	....	sound re-recording mixer
Joe Milner	....	supervising sound editor
Thomas O'Neil Younkman	....	sound effects designer
Tim D. Lloyd	....	additional production sound mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Robert Garrigus	....	special effects technician: West EFX
Joseph Jenkins	....	special effects technician: West EFX
Bill Davis	....	blood effects coordinator (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Courtney Andresen	....	rotoscope artist: Max Ink Cafe
Courtney Andresen	....	visual effects assistant: Max Ink Cafe
Pooch Behrens	....	rotoscope artist: Max Ink Cafe
Sam Behrens	....	digital artist: Max Ink Cafe
Jennifer Champagne	....	compositor: Max Ink Cafe (as Jennifer A. Champagne)
Jennifer Champagne	....	visual effects producer: Max Ink Cafe (as Jennifer A. Champagne)
Chris Dawson	....	visual effects supervisor: Max Ink Cafe
Andrew Drazek	....	visual effects coordinator: Max Ink Cafe
Lisa Lavender	....	digital artist: Max Ink Cafe (as Lisa Lavendar)
Todd Perry	....	cg supervisor: Max Ink Cafe (as Todd Sheridan Perry)
Ruth Arnell	....	cg assistant coordinator: Max Ink Cafe (uncredited)
David Booth	....	film scanning and recording (uncredited)

Stunts
Matthew R. Anderson	....	stunts
Troy DeWalt	....	stunts
Maegan Stewart	....	stunts
Nils Allen Stewart	....	stunt coordinator (as Nils Stewart)
Chris Torres	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Brodersen	....	cinematographer: behind the scenes footage (as Mike Brodersen)
Michael Brodersen	....	still photographer (as Mike Brodersen)
Sylvain D'Hautcourt	....	camera operator: second unit
Sylvain D'Hautcourt	....	still photographer: slide show
Nausheen Dadabhoy	....	camera intern/loader
Alejandro Escoto	....	second assistant camera
Willie Estrada	....	first assistant camera (as Wilfredo Estrada)
Matthew Fabian	....	grip swing
Josh Fritts	....	additional second assistant camera
Patrick Fugit	....	still photographer
Giolliosa Fuller	....	still photographer
Kelly C. Gallamore	....	electrician swing (as Kelly Gallamore)
Erik Gonzales	....	electrician swing
Mike Horan	....	key grip
Forest James	....	still photographer
Anthony Jefferson	....	electrician swing
Erica Kim	....	electrician swing
King Lanaux	....	best boy electric (as King W. Lanaux)
Mikal P. Lazarev	....	still photographer: slide show
Sabyn Mayfield	....	best boy grip
Ryan McCoy	....	gaffer
Sharone Meir	....	director of photography: second unit (as Sharon Meir)
David Newbert	....	best boy grip
Stephen Olsen	....	electrician swing (as Stephen Olson)
Andrey Prikazchikov	....	key grip
Kara Rittenhouse	....	additional second assistant camera (as Kara L. Rittenhouse)
Ari Schwartzman	....	electrician swing (as Ari Shwartzman)
Kevin Sheedy	....	grip swing
George Soto	....	camera intern/loader
Burke Tackett	....	best boy electric (as Tackett Burke)
James Troost	....	additional gaffer
James Troost	....	best boy electric
Michael Ursetta	....	additional gaffer
Michael Ursetta	....	electrician swing (as Mike Ursetta)
Pete Violanti	....	grip swing
Ralph Walters	....	key grip
Wei Wang	....	additional first assistant camera
Alex Weiss	....	camera assistant: second unit
Jim West	....	electrician swing (as James West)
Matt Whitted	....	best boy grip
Eric Felland	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Bill Persaud	....	electrician (uncredited)
Jenny Quam	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Darryl Rue	....	grip (uncredited)
Scott Yancey	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Katie Piel	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Carla Biggert	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
John Daro	....	digital assembly editor
Gregory A. Kautz	....	select transfers
Damien Somerset	....	assistant editor
Alexis Spraic	....	assistant editor
Max Stein	....	first assistant editor
Kostas Theodosiou	....	colorist

Music Department
Bobby Johnston	....	musician
Robin Urdang	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Matthew Ballard	....	transportation coordinator (as Matt Ballard)
Shay Morgan Brook	....	transportation captain
Chantal Filson	....	driver
James Fraijo	....	driver (as James Fraigo)
Mike Graves	....	driver
Kanan Gubins	....	driver
Lee Mayeux	....	driver
Anton Petreccia	....	driver

Other crew
Jonathan Alberts	....	title designer
LaVonne Rae Andrews	....	location scout
Shawn Attias	....	production assistant
Carmen Betancourt	....	location scout
Mandy Brown	....	production intern
Joel Champagne	....	office production assistant
Greg Ciani	....	production assistant
Resa Congdon	....	post-production accountant
Michael Delavallade	....	production coordinator
Guy Flint	....	studio teacher (as Flint Guy)
Evan Foster	....	production intern
Rene Fresquez	....	production assistant
Debbie Gonzalez	....	craft service
Jonathan Gray	....	legal services: Spinak & Gray
Melton Headley	....	production assistant
Melanie Hillman	....	location scout
Elizabeth Himelstein	....	dialogue coach: Russian (as Liz Himmelstein)
David Hymer	....	craft service
Ali Jazayeri	....	vice president finance
Max Kosc	....	production intern
Jason Michael Lopez	....	assistant: Mr. Dukic (as Jason Lopez)
Larry Madill	....	script supervisor
Marlon Mark	....	production coordinator
Crystal 'Sue' McGraw	....	production accountant
Jenna Minoli Hymanson	....	production intern
Beth Multer	....	script supervisor
Dannah Nayblat	....	location scout
Dannah Nayblat	....	translator (as Dannah Nayblatt)
Mary Qin	....	cat handler
Mary Qin	....	production intern
Irwin M. Rappaport	....	legal services: distribution
Caroline Reiter	....	location manager
Deanne Reynolds	....	handler: Freddy
Georgina Riedel	....	production coordinator (as Georgina Reidel)
Brad Salonen	....	runner/production assistant
Linda Sena	....	location manager
Kelley Sims	....	post-production accountant
Sofia Strehlow	....	production assistant
Lon Sunders	....	set medic
Ivan Tsang	....	key production intern
Corey Van Dyke	....	location manager
Dacia van Veen	....	production assistant
Larry Wines	....	set security
Peter Wulff	....	location scout
Ryan Young	....	runner/production assistant (as Ryan Youn)
Ron Bissland	....	additional script supervisor (uncredited)
Shelley Marie Brown	....	promotions (uncredited)
Liz Graham	....	additional script supervisor (uncredited)
Jonathan Gray	....	production counsel (uncredited)
Steve Gurklys	....	additional script supervisor (uncredited)
Greg Saraceno	....	location manager (uncredited)

Thanks
Michael Almereyda	....	special thanks
David Baum	....	special thanks
Julie Carmen	....	special thanks
Todd Graff	....	special thanks
Ted Hope	....	special thanks
Sharone Meir	....	special thanks (as Sharon Meir)
Frank Pierson	....	special thanks
Eddie Steeples	....	special thanks
Jim Young	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• No Matter Pictures
• Crispy Films
• Adam Sherman
• Halcyon Pictures

Distributors

• Autonomous Films (2007) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Autonomous Films (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Halcyon Pictures (2007) (UK) (theatrical)
• Kanibal Films Distribution (2010) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2008) (Argentina) (all media)
• Discovery Film & Video Distribution (2006) (Croatia) (all media)
• Filmfreak Distributie (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Lions Gate Films (2008) (Canada) (DVD)
• Lions Gate Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Maiandros Entertainment Group (2010) (Greece) (DVD)
• Officine UBU (2009) (Italy) (all media)
• Rialto Distribution (2008) (Australia) (DVD)
• Vendetta Films (2006) (New Zealand) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Almost Human (special make-up effects)
• Max Ink Cafe (visual effects)
• West EFX (special effects)

Other Companies

• Buzz Factory, The  
• Cattle Call Productions  extras casting (as Cattle Call)
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Distinctive Catering  catering
• Elite Stunts and Film Equipment  generators
• FotoKem Film and Video  digital intermediate
• Gray Krauss Des Rochers  legal services
• Hollywood Rentals Productions Services  grip and electric equipment (as Hollywood Rentals)
• Independent Studio Services  props
• Keep Me Posted  titles
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack
• Line 204  production equipment
• MPRM Public Relations  publicity
• Post Creations  foley recorded at
• Puget Sound  sound post-production
• Rocky Mountain  camera and lenses
• Skydive Elsinore  parachute team
• Spinak & Gray  production legal
• Star Waggons  trailers (as Star Wagons)
• Sundance Institute, The  developed with the assistance of
• Sunny Side Up  catering
• TK Casting  additional extras casting
• Universal Studio Wardrobe Department  costumes
• Universal Studios Property Department  set dressing
• Wilcox Sound  walkies

Also Known As:

"Pizzeria Kamikaze" - International (English title) (informal title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and disturbing content involving suicide

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | USA:R | Australia:R | New Zealand:R18 | South Africa:13L | Netherlands:6 | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Germany:16 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

No Matter Pictures

Trivia:

When Eugene kills himself on stage by pouring a beer onto his guitar, he is drinking "Dead Guy Ale", brewed by Rogue Brewing Company.

Goofs:

Continuity: (at around 1 min) After Mikal and Zia sleep together on the beach, just before they wake up from the shouts of Kneller, Mikal is barefoot. In the next scene, still sleeping, she has red shoes on her feet.

Quotes:

Zia:Being here with you reminds me of what I was like before my suicide.
Mikal:What were you like?
Zia:I was happy...

Movie Connections:

References Nanook of the North (1922)

Soundtrack:

Hulliganjeta

Captivating

This is one of "those" movies. You know the kind - like a catchy tune the vibe of this movie stays in your head... the movie had all the chances in the world to be depressing, but it was far from it, there are only a few drama elements and the title is not deceiving, it truly is a love story and a beautiful one at that and also threaded with great humor, when I laughed, I laughed hard. And I would probably cry if the ending was any different.

I won't go into possibilities and impossibilities of metaphysical, because that's absolutely not what this story is about; purgatory, if you will, is only the stage, where the romantic play is performed, with that, it's innovative though actually daring, as it was probably obvious the box office would never explode from what 'Wristcutters' would make. In my opinion, the movie is so well made it would have been great even if it was stripped of suicide thing and it was just a plain love story. Oh and Shannyn Sossamon was so convincing, I think I'm in love with her now. ;)