Directed by Joel Marsh, from a script by Mike Leavitt, ‘What Wilderness Permits’ is a short comedy horror that follows an outlandish park ranger and his affinity to nature. Galen Howard leads the cast as Russ – the eccentric ranger of the fictional Atmaksa National Park. Brendan Sargent and Claire Glassford portray Paul and Emma – two urban dwellers visiting the park for the very first time. The farcical narrative is highly entertaining with stellar performances throughout.
The 16-minute short doesn’t take itself too seriously – which is all part of the buffoonery. The film opens with Russ (not Ross) receiving the unexpected news of his redundancy. The tree-hugger is subsequently greeted by an inept couple from the city who are looking to camp out on the grounds. After running them through the guidelines and assigning them a permit, Russ keeps a close eye on their conduct with sinister intentions. A hilarious watch from start-to-finish.
Joel Marsh and Mike Leavitt have created a hysterical short with a foreboding underbelly. Howard’s offbeat delivery is ingenious – a commendable talent to keep an eye on. Visually, the cinematography is of an exceptional standard from the offset, with breathtaking scenery within California’s Sequoia National Park. Post-production and sound are faultless. Despite it’s comical tone, with a smither of trepidation, the fundamental takeaway is nature appreciation. Highly reccomended viewing.
