It’s Backyard Blitz meets Werner Herzog losing his mind in the Amazon rainforest, presented with the hokiness of a local network show, complete with dated opening credits over a pan-flute theme. And the convoluted, fever-dream premise? A lifestyle-reality show following an eccentric Fab 5 of filmmaking who travel the country in matching purple jumpsuits, making feature-lengths in three days, based on ideas pitched by the public. At the centre is Campbell as himself – albeit in an alternate reality where he’s a fading, insecure Hollywood
director running low on ideas, rather than a stand-up with a slightly disconcerting presence. That awkwardness works well, especially as he tries to rule over sets of amateur actors, retirees and Sebastian – a morose punching bag played by Chen, who is only tolerated as he’s bankrolling their movies. And the films? With one per episode, they range from Snake Swap – a romance where a couple are cursed to be snakes but never at the same time – to an animated children’s film about
a war between feet and hands, created for barefoot enthusiasts trapped in a mine. Maybe it’s beginning to sound a little too quirky. The ever-escalating irreverence isn’t for everyone, naturally. It’s unlikely to win you over if Campbell’s comedy hasn’t already.
Sam Campbell, comedy, lifestyle-reality show, matching purple jumpsuits, feature films in three days, Backyard Blitz, Werner Herzog, Amazon rainforest, Snake Swap, animated children’s film about feet and hands, barefoot enthusiasts