The world premiere of ‘Crawdaddy‘ takes place on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5 p.m. at the Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF).
‘Crawdaddy‘ is film that blends Greek mythology, fantasy, sexuality and self-exploration during the captivity of the Covid-19 pandemic. On the surface it shows how Gwynn (Kassandra Voss) is growing tired of her bohemian, artsy fartsy lover Adam (Nathan Barrett) and uses the excuse of a sex dream fantasy involved his best friend Lance (Juan Riedinger), creating a love triangle that only fulfills her desires in the short term without every going further in to the self-exploration of co-dependency within the throuple’s relationship.
The power of a woman’s sexuality and the weak men who only adhere to their carnal passions is underlining theme of ‘Crawdaddy‘, which is a reflection on lack of self-esteem in the late-Millennial, older-Generation Z, “men” of this post-modern Western World.
Gwynn’s narcissistic ways are tolerated by Adam and Lance because she’s pretty enough to getaway with that behavior. It is justified through pseudo-spirituality and lukewarm neo-paganism.
Co-writers and directors Dan Rocque and Voss, tell a compelling story about relationships in the 21st century and the lack of accountability with adults who choose to hang on to their adolescence for far too long. Bad behavior is justified through the pseudo-spiritual, self-worship.
My biggest problem with ‘Crawdaddy‘ is the use of mostly a handheld camp instead of a tripod, something most independent films are guilty of for the last 30 plus years of cinema. I really wish films like this would be able to steady their focus during the chaotic moments.
The character names are powerfully imbedded within the narrative featuring an Arthurian level of betrayal along with the fall of humanity. Adam ate the forbidden fruit while Queen Guinevere betrayed her king with his faithful knight, Lancelot. Gwynn is this case is far more the demon Lilith than a majestic monarch giving into her lustful temptations.
Voss, Barrett and Riedinger’s performances wonderfully reflect the times as well as the human defects this era shows us to be suffering through relationships that do nothing more than stroke one party’s ego.
Official Synopsis:
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality, it’s a way of understanding it…” In the throes of pandemic-induced monotony, Gwynn is growing weary of her relationship with Adam, a struggling artist and thespian. However, when Gwynn is “awoken” by a mythical, cryptic sex dream involving their best friend Lance, she is called into action – embarking on a quest to liberate him from his similarly banal existence. Fueled by a blend of Greek mythos and unbridled audacity, Gwynn’s fantasies ignite a love triangle within their COVID-19 bubble, testing the intricacies of their bonds.
Note: This film has nudity.
‘Crawdaddy‘ world premiere will be on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5 p.m. at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
‘Crawdaddy‘ is showing at:
Big Newport 6
300 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Summary
‘Crawdaddy‘ uses fantasy as a metaphor to escape the monotony of life, the exploration of self-discovery through fantasy, sexuality and captivity. It shows how ego and selfishness ruins modern relationships.
