Searchers 2.0

2007 American film

August 31, 2007 (2007-08-31) (Venice)
October 26, 2010 (2010-10-26) (United States)

Running time

96 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget$180,000

Searchers 2.0 is a 2007 Western road film directed by Alex Cox. It stars Del Zamora and Ed Pansullo.^[1] Described by Cox as a "microfeature," it was shot on digital video in 10 days for a budget of $180,000. Lacking distribution, it featured a very limited theatrical run of one-night showings at various theaters throughout 2007 and 2008, followed by its premiere on BBC in the UK, and eventual DVD release in Japan and North America. The film marks Cox's return to the comedy genre, his first since Straight to Hell, 20 years prior.

In the film, two former child actors seek revenge against a screenwriter who had violently abused them during their childhood.

Plot

The story follows two out of work actors, Mel and Fred. Mel works part-time as a day laborer. They learn that screenwriter Fritz Frobisher, who had violently abused the two actors with a whip during a childhood acting job, will be appearing at a screening of one of his films that will take place in Monument Valley. The two decide to travel from Los Angeles to the screening, but neither owns a car, so they convince Mel's daughter, Delilah, to drive them on their revenge journey.

Cast

Del Zamora as Mel Torres
Ed Pansullo as Fred Fletcher
Leonard Maltin as Film critic
Jaclyn Jonet as Delilah Torres
Sy Richardson as Fritz Frobisher
Zahn McClarnon as Rusty Frobisher
Cy Carter as Director
Andres Carranza as Mexican Guy
Jason Norquist as Driver
Roger Corman as Producer
Brandon Carlos as Young Mel
Steven Fierberg as Proprietor
Alex Cox as Entrepreneur
Esther Williams as Goulding's Employee #1
Linda Litsui as Goulding's Employee #2
Larry Holiday as Golfer #1
Lorenz Holiday as Golfer #2
Tim League as Roustabout #1
Simon Tams as Cameraman
Zack Carlson as Roustabout #2 (uncredited)

Production

Portions of the film were shot in the Coachella Valley, California.^[2]

References

^ "Searchers 2.0 (2007) - Alex Cox | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
^ Palm Springs Visitors Center. "Coachella Valley Feature Film Production 1920–2011". Filming in Palm Springs. Palm Springs, CA. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2012. ♦ Download^{[permanent dead link]} (Downloadable PDF file)