Describing “Ghostbox Cowboy” in one or two sentences is almost impossible. And even if it was possible, the description wouldn’t be sufficient enough to fully encapsulate all the craziness that is seen in the film.
Perhaps the best way to dive headfirst into the world of “Ghostbox Cowboy,” short of actually watching the film, is with the new trailer. The footage seen gives viewers a chance to experience the wild, darkly comedic world of filmmaker John Maringouin’s narrative film debut. “Ghostbox Cowboy” tells the story of a Texan hoping to strike it rich in the crazy world of Shenzhen in China. Armed with some bitcoins and a product, Jimmy Van Horn finds just how difficult it is to make it overseas.
READ MORE: ‘Ghostbox Cowboy’ Is Fascinating, Atmospheric & Utterly Strange [Tribeca Review]
But again, you have to watch the trailer to see the real story of the film, which is the incredible visual style that is present. Maringouin is best known for his most recent documentary “We are X” and “Ghostbox Cowboy” marks his first foray into the world of fictional storytelling. And to help him along the way is director David Zellner, who steps in front of the camera to play Jimmy in the film.
The film will debut in LA on November 30, before expanding to San Francisco on December 7 and New York on December 14. However, if you want to catch the film outside of those locations, “Ghostbox Cowboy” will hit VOD on December 11.
Here’s the synopsis:
John Maringouin’s brilliant, darkly comedic morality tale examines a wildly ambitious Westerner who tries to get in on China’s tech boom and finds that he may not be up to the task. Texan Jimmy Van Horn (David Zellner) is a cowboy huckster who arrives in the booming city of Shenzhen with a couple of bitcoins and huge ambitions of parlaying them into economic success. Lucky for Jimmy, he’s got a friend holding open the back door to this “accidental Shangri-La” — Bob Grainger (Robert Longstreet) – who’s gotten new teeth, a blonde wig and looks twenty years younger. He promises to do the same for Jimmy in 6 weeks. Maringouin (BIG RIVER MAN) develops a startling visual language in this excitingly fresh, complex perspective on China’s economic growth – and the gold rush mentality it inspires.