Filmmaker Joel Petrykus on his acclaimed, sui generis fifth feature film, Vulcanizadora, opening May 9 at the Laemmle Monica Film Center and NoHo: “One of my biggest concerns about fatherhood is that I’d soften up and start telling stories of hope and inspiration. Five years after the birth of my one and only son, and I’m mostly consumed with fears of inadequacy, abandonment, and mortality; going to prison by accident, falling off a cliff by accident, jumping off a cliff by accident. Vulcanizadora is my most heartfelt and personal, but not in a good way. It’s my most sincere and emotional, but also my bleakest and most haunting.”
“There is no film you’ll ever see like it.” – Collider
“A darkly funny heavy metal comedy that deftly shifts into a poignant existential drama. Potrykus helms with edgy style, but it’s his and Burge’s transformative performances that carry this unconventional gem.” -Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
“A fascinating film. What I admire most about the truly strange Vulcanizadora is that I haven’t seen anything like it. Joshua Burge is phenomenal.” -Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
“Unexpectedly poignant. Potrykus’ most accessible film to date. A sincere rumination on mortality and enduring relationships.” -Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest
“Joel Potrykus, the undisputed maestro of ‘metal slackerism,” again serves up a singular experience by taking a simple idea to its logical conclusion, and then a lot further.” -David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“Mind-bending. Nothing can really prepare viewers for where Vulcanizadora ends up going.” -Carla Hay, Culture Mix