Mick Davis’s decision to set Walden in a small town is a deliberate choice that amplifies the film’s intrigue. The director explains that the setting plays a crucial role in developing the film’s atmosphere and character dynamics. The timeless quality of a small town provides the perfect backdrop for the story of Walden Dean, a character whose life is as enigmatic as the setting itself.
The Timelessness of Walden
The small town setting of Walden is not just a backdrop but a character in its own right. Davis draws inspiration from classic films of the 60s that depicted the Deep South, where the idyllic surface often concealed a darker reality. By choosing such a setting, Davis challenges the audience to look beyond the facade and question what lies beneath the picturesque exterior.
“You know those old movies from the 60s like To Kill a Mockingbird and In the Heat of the Night and all those Deep South movies where on the surface everything looks nice and sweet and happy and magnolia trees and all kinds of, you know, blessed morning to everyone. And then what’s the underbelly of that?
I mean, to put it in a Gotham setting, whether it’s New York or maybe, you know, LA or something, I just thought that’s too easy, you know, I want to put it in a place where things like this just would not happen. And people like Walden would live, you know, and I also felt that in these towns, the clock has stopped. You know, I mean, when you watch this movie, you could be in the 50s or the 60s. It just has that vibe, you know.”
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The quote from Davis emphasizes the timeless nature of the film’s setting. The small town’s ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and suspension in time is integral to the story of Walden Dean. This setting allows the film to explore themes and characters that might be lost in a more modern or urban environment, providing a unique canvas for the narrative to unfold.
The Duality of Walden Dean
Walden Dean’s pride in his profession and his contentment with a simple life are central to his character. The film explores how this seemingly unremarkable man’s life is transformed by extraordinary circumstances. Davis’s portrayal of Walden as a man who is both a guardian of the law and a shadowy figure operating on its fringes promises a complex and compelling narrative.
“Absolutely, yeah, because he’s third generation stenographer. He’s very proud of his job. He’s very proud that he took up his father’s mantle. He’s very proud of the fact that, you know, in the small town that he works, he really does serve the law. And also he never asks for much out of life, you know, he never looks for anything in life. He’s quite happy to blend into the background, which suits perfectly for what he eventually becomes.”
The quote provided by Davis gives insight into the duality of Walden Dean’s character. His humble beginnings and satisfaction with a life of service set the stage for his transformation into a figure of intrigue and action. The film promises to navigate this duality with sensitivity and depth, offering a portrayal that is both believable and captivating.
Walden releases in select theaters November 10, 2023, On Digital VOD on December 12, 2023
About Walden
Release Date: In select theaters November 10, 2023, On Digital VOD on December 12, 2023
Director: Mick Davis
Screenplay by: Mick Davis
Executive Producers: David Keith & Emile Hirsch
Producers: Seth Michaels, Sara Sometti Michaels
Production: Benacus Entertainment, RNF Productions
Distribution: Uncork’d Entertainment
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Shane West
Synopsis
People collect sweaters, Walden Dean collects the testaments of justice, he is a stenographer and being the ghost of the courtroom, his mind is agonizingly crammed witnessing the torrent of injustice, until now. Discovering he has a terminal illness sends him into a rage that has been simmering deep within him for years and now he is about to take justice into his own hands, in the most gruesome ways imaginable. But there is a more gruesome piece of business Walden will need to deal with, a pedophile serial killer right on his small town’s own doorstep.
What kind of stories do you think work better in small towns? Do you like it when the setting plays a huge part of the narrative? Will you be watching Walden? Let us know what you think on social media!
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