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Hundreds of Beavers 2022
Hundreds of Beavers is a 2022 American slapstick comedy film that marks the feature directorial debut of Mike Cheslik, who also co-wrote the script with Cheslik and Ryland Tews. The black-and-white, largely dialogue-free independent film features Tews in the role of applejack maker Jean Kayak, whose attempt to win the hand of a merchant's daughter leads him into conflict with a colony of beavers.
Cheslik and Tews had previously worked together on multiple projects, including Lake Michigan Monster (2018), and developed the concept for Hundreds of Beavers in October 2018. The film was conceived as a parody of The Revenant (2015) and other survival films, drawing influence from silent movies and slapstick comedies. It was designed to feel like watching a let's play video.
The movie was filmed on a low budget of $150,000 across twelve weeks during the winter of 2019–20 in rural Wisconsin and Michigan. Beavers and most other animals in the film were portrayed by actors wearing mascot costumes.
After two years of post-production, Hundreds of Beavers made its debut at Fantastic Fest on September 29, 2022. Cheslik and Tews opted to self-distribute the film, which began a limited theatrical release on January 26, 2024 and later received a video on demand release on April 15, 2024. The film garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, with several outlets naming it among the best of 2024. Its theatrical performance earned $1.6 million.
Cast
- Ryland TewsJean Kayak
- Olivia GravesThe Furrier
- Doug MancheskiThe Merchant
- Wes TankThe Master Fur Trapper
- Luis RicoThe Indian Fur Trapper
- Brendan SteereBeaver Judge
- Mike Wesolowski and Jason HoerchnerBeaver Bailiffs
- Jerry KurekBeaver Lawyer
- Mike WesolowskiHorse Head
- Elle R. SchultzBeaver Kaiju
Crew
- Director
- Mike Cheslik
- Writer
- Mike Cheslik, Ryland Tews
- Producer
- Matt Sabljak, Kurt Ravenwood, Ryland Tews
- Cinematography
- Quinn Hester
- Editing
- Mike Cheslik
- Music
- Chris Ryan
Details
- Production
- SRH
- Distributor
- Cineverse
- Budget
- $150,000
- Box office
- $1.6million
