Official Trailer for the Wonderful '80s-Inspired Turbo Kid
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On one spectrum lies Mad Max: Fury Road, a very realistic (albeit exaggerated) take on the dystopian/wasteland film (that its predecessor, Mad Max, practically established back in 1979). On the other end lies Turbo Kid, a dystopian/wasteland film that wears its influences on its sleeve while still holding itself up alongside the litany of films it found inspiration from.
Needless to say, Turbo Kid was my favorite film out of SXSW this year, and for a good reason. While countless other films have gone the '80s aesthetic route (Kung Fury being a recent notable film) that borderlines gimmicky, Turbo Kid is able to not only have fun with its tone, but also has a darker side that doesn't feel out of context.
With an official trailer finally released, larger audiences can catch a glimpse at what makes Turbo Kid so fun. Directors Anouk Whissell, François Simard, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, collectively known as RKSS, strike the right balance between homage and original. If watching the trailer piqued your interest for more Turbo Kid, I highly recommend checking out our video interview with RKSS for more insight.
Turbo Kid will be hitting theaters on August 28th.
[SXSW Interview] RKSS (Writers/Directors of Turbo Kid)
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Video by Elijah Alvarado.
If you missed my review of Turbo Kid, I highly recommend reading that soon. It was, hands down, my favorite film out of SXSW 2015, and one I'll have no problem championing and supporting in the upcoming months as it begins to play across the rest of the country. It's been such a long while since a film's hype and buzz was lived up to, making Turbo Kid that much more enjoyable.
During SXSW, we had the chance to sit down with Yoann-Karl Whissell, Anouk Whissell, and Francois Simard, the writers and directors behind Turbo Kid that collectively go by the name RKSS (short for Roadkill Superstar). Watch our video interview where we discuss the influences behind the film, the struggle to make Turbo Kid tonally sound, and more!
Turbo Kid
Turbo Kid
Directors: Anouk Whissell, François Simard, Yoann-Karl Whissell (RKSS)
Rating: N/A
Release Date: March 17, 2015 (SXSW)
Nostalgia is a lovely thing, especially when it comes to art. It adds that little extra something that allows us to connect to, love, and appreciate it just a bit more. When done improperly, however, nostalgia can handicap and hold back works of art that aren't strong enough to stand on their own. Turbo Kid relies on the nostalgia of various '80s films and genres, but treats the time period with reverence while not allowing its attention to certain stylistic choices to negatively affect the overall film.
Turbo Kid, then, fits very well in the modern landscape of indie films where equal focus is given to both production value/quality and dedication to a style/tone that all but guarantee it will become your next favorite cult film. Even if you're unfamiliar with or not a fan of '80s films, Turbo Kid has enough energy and infectious charm to assure you'll fall in love with it.
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In a dystopian alternate 1997, the world has been ravaged by some type of apocalypse, leaving behind a barren wasteland where everything goes. The Kid (Munro Chambers) is an orphan traversing across the wasteland for comic books and '80s trinkets to collect and trade for water (which is a rare commodity in the world). During one of his treks, he meets Apple (Laurence Leboeuf), an enigmatic girl who quickly deems The Kid her new best friend by attaching a tracking device on him. While he's initially annoyed by her presence, the Kid eventually becomes attached to her, especially after they're attacked by a biker gang run by the vicious Zeus (Michael Ironside), who himself pits captives against one another in deathmatches where the loser has their blood cleansed and purified for water.
While the Kid is able to escape, Apple finds herself captured by Zeus' henchmen. During the escape, the Kid comes across a ship implied to be the hero of his comic book's, complete with a power suit that gives him powers. Teaming up with Frederic (Aaron Jeffery), a vigilante known for his arm-wrestling prowess, they're able to rescue Apple from Zeus' clutches. However, by doing so, they draw the ire of Zeus' full attention.
While Turbo Kid is set in 1997, the film's presentation makes it seem as if it was shot during the '80s, complete with a time-appropriate score and sound effects, bright-colored costume palettes to contrast against the drab and gray of the wasteland, and a charm that befits '80s films. The film draws from various post-apocalyptic '80s films like BMX Bandits and The Road Warrior in terms of scope and style, especially with the practical visual effects and level of gore that befits the campiest of '80s films; however, it also possesses the innocent charm and hopeful optimism that helped define '80s teenage protagonists.
Beyond the '80s-inspired aesthetic, Turbo Kid is just an amazingly fun film. It's fun to see the Kid express his awkwardness over getting attention from a pretty girl, just for somebody to get their head decapitated completely with a copious amount of blood gushing out just a few minutes later. Again, while I do believe there's something in Turbo Kid for everyone, there will be those who just don't enjoy primal fun qualities like practical blood effects, synth-heavy scores, and a loose plot that is both serious in delivery, but doesn't take itself seriously at the same time.
Give Turbo Kid a chance, and I can guarantee it'll become the film you try to rally all of your friends to watch.