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If you’re a fan of original movies that tell a unique and eccentric story, you might want to check out David Zellner and Nathan Zellner’s Damsel – which is opening in limited release tomorrow. The film takes place in the American West around the year 1870. Robert Pattinson plays Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, who ventures across the American Frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope (Mia Wasikowska), bringing a miniature horse named Butterscotch along for the journey. As the film unfolds, the once-simple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain and damsel. Damsel also stars David Zellner, Robert Forster, Nathan Zellner, and Joe Billingiere. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of movies and Damsel is nothing like any western I’ve seen and it constantly plays with your expectations.

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Image via Magnolia Pictures

Recently, I sat down with Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska to talk about the making of Damsel. During the interview they shared some memorable moments from filming, their reaction reading the script for the first time, what it was like filming the clog dancing sequence, what scene they were nervous to film prior to shooting, if they can leave the character they’re playing behind on set, and a lot more.

Check out what Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about followed by the official synopsis.

Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska:

  • What was their reaction reading the Damsel script and how it plays with your expectations.
  • Was learning to clog dance for the film the most challenging thing they’ve learned for a movie?
  • What’s the most challenging thing they’ve learned for a movie and do they still have the skillset?
  • Any crazy memories of working with the horses?
  • Can they leave the character they’re playing on set or does some of it come home with them?
  • What’s the scene they were most nervous to do before filming began and what’s the scene they were most excited for?
  • How Damsel is a very unique movie and not something that is easily made.
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Image via Sundance

Here’s the official synopsis for Damsel:

It’s the age of The Wild West, circa 1870. An affluent pioneer, Samuel Alabaster (Robert Pattinson) ventures deep into the American wilderness to reunite with and marry the love of his life, Penelope (Mia Wasikowska). For his journey he brings Butterscotch, a miniature horse intended as a wedding present for his bride, and enlists drunkard Parson Henry (David Zellner) to conduct the ceremony. As they traverse the lawless frontier their once simple journey grows treacherous, and the lines between hero, villain, and damsel are blurred. A loving reinvention of the western genre from the Zellner brothers (Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter), DAMSEL showcases their trademark unpredictability, off-kilter sense of humor, and unique brand of humanism.

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Image via Magnolia Pictures
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Image via Magnolia Pictures
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Image via Magnolia Pictures
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Image via Magnolia Pictures
robert-pattinson-damsel-movie-image
Image via Magnolia Pictures

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