Greater than two years into the “A whole lot of Beavers” world tour, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews continues to be hauling large luggage of fur-trimmed costumes on and off planes. “It’s simply my girlfriend and me,” the multi-hyphenate indie star/author/producer advised IndieWire throughout a current interview. “We present up at theaters, placed on the wacky ‘Beavers’ present with all of the critters, and watch individuals who have no thought what they’re in for simply lose their minds.”
That scrappy, DIY hustle has turned Tews and director Mike Cheslik’s “A whole lot of Beavers” — a black-and-white slapstick epic a few Nineteenth-century fur trapper — into one thing nearer to a range present than a micro-budget movie. Screenings have advanced into must-see stay occasions that includes props, merchandise, and the occasional particular person in an animal swimsuit chasing followers via the aisles and audiences throughout continents.
“We at all times handled it extra like a band than a film,” Tews defined, becoming a member of the rising refrain of distributors likening indie movie to music. “We carry the beaver, the canine, the horse, simply make it chaos!”
What began as a regional oddity from Wisconsin has grow to be a global cult sensation, even screening month-to-month at venues like Chicago’s historic Music Field Theatre. The programming pattern has spawned a “Rocky Horror Image Present”-like counterculture marked by a definite appreciation for fur-trapper cosplay and cinema that defies categorization.
“There’s no method any studio would have greenlit ‘A whole lot of Beavers,’” Tews admitted in our current chat. “No stars, black-and-white, no dialogue, mascot costumes? Neglect it. However we guessed proper. Individuals wished one thing bizarre.”
Now, Tews is able to transfer on to a brand new mission with a narrative that’s equally unusual however grounded in an actual thriller. For his subsequent and deliberate remaining function, “Oriental Snatch,” Tews will inform the story of D.B. Cooper. That’s the title the U.S. authorities gave to the notorious 1971 hijacker who leapt out of an airplane over Nevada with $200,000 in hand. To this present day, the perpetrator has by no means been discovered.
“It’s the most effective unsolved mysteries there may be,” Tews mentioned. “And someway, nobody’s made a correct narrative film about it. So we’re going to repair that — with motion, journey, romance, and horror. It’s going to be our Bond-heist-meets-fever-dream film.”
Tews describes “Oriental Snatch” because the end result of his “punk-rock indie movie” trilogy, following “Lake Michigan Monster” (2018) and “A whole lot of Beavers” (2022). This time, he’s teaming up with Brazilian director and graphic novelist Chris Tex, and capturing a lot of the film in São Paulo, the place Tews now spends a part of the 12 months along with his girlfriend and collaborator, actress Jessica Freytag. Freytag, who starred within the 2023 quick movie “Wind Princess,” will play an undisclosed position within the new movie — though judging by the idea poster, she seems to play a flight attendant.
“She’s tremendously proficient,” Tews mentioned. “We met at Fantasia Fest in Montreal, and it’s going to be such a pleasure to lastly act reverse her. Plus, we’re merging the Wisconsin crew together with her Brazilian crew. It’s going to be wild.”
“A whole lot of Beavers” cinematographer Quinn Hester, sound designer/mixer Bobb Barito, and combat choreographer Jon Truei will make the leap with Tews for “Oriental Snatch.” Tews is at the moment elevating funds for “Oriental Snatch” via the crowdfunding platform Wefunder, aiming for a $2 million funds.
“We’ve raised about $200,000 to this point,” he mentioned. “The minimal funding is simply $100, so anybody can personal somewhat piece of the film. Our final two movies made their a refund, and this one has a fair higher investor deal.” He added, “Greatest case, somebody swoops in with a pair million bucks. Worst case, we begin capturing what we will in March and hold going till it’s carried out.”
That ethos — tough, handmade, relentlessly ingenious — has made Tews a poster boy for a brand new wave of regional filmmakers redefining the American indie circuit. In an period when studios nonetheless chase four-quadrant enchantment and algorithms threaten to flatten artistic threat, “A whole lot of Beavers” stands as a case examine in what can occur when filmmakers completely personal their work.
“We discovered easy methods to market and distribute the film ourselves,” he mentioned. “We premiered in 2022, and now it’s 2025. I’m actually speaking to you from Wales whereas nonetheless on tour. It’s exhausting however rewarding.” Steadfast perception in artistic autonomy is exactly why “Oriental Snatch” may also be Tews’ final film.
“While you make an indie movie, you’re not simply the director,” he mentioned. “You’re the marketer, the merch man, the roadie. ‘A whole lot of Beavers’ took three-and-a-half years. By the point ‘Snatch’ comes out in 2027, I’ll have been doing this for 9 years. Michael Jordan retired after three championships. So, I feel I’ll retire after three semi-decent films.”
Self-deprecating however honest, Tews added, “Then I’ll get married, begin a household, and give attention to different components of life for some time.”
Anybody who’s watched Tews on display is aware of “retirement” could be a stretch. Regardless of the grind, Tews stays evangelical in regards to the path he’s paved. “I at all times inform aspiring filmmakers: make certain your protagonist wears an enormous hat,” he says. “Then put on that hat to festivals. Individuals will ask, ‘What’s with the hat?’ and increase — you’re pitching your film. No matter it takes to make individuals care.”
To not point out, his eyes gentle up speaking about Brazil, the place he’ll quickly begin capturing amongst a crew of expert stunt coordinators and combat choreographers, all with “Beavers” fever. “It’s going to be memorable,” Tews mentioned.
Half vaudeville, half viral, “A whole lot of Beavers” has greater than earned its spot in midnight-movie canon because of the spirit and expertise of Tews and Cheslik, who has a distinct subsequent function arising — one thing his longtime companion stayed tight-lipped about whereas nonetheless celebrating their shared legacy.
“They’ve been displaying ‘Rocky Horror Image Present’ for 50 years,” Tews mentioned. “Now some theaters are displaying ‘Beavers’ each month. Individuals costume up. They make their very own costumes. It’s the most effective feeling on this planet. We’d even carry a beaver on tour for ‘Snatch,’ only for enjoyable.”
