The Butler Brothers Reimagine Purgatory at RIFF No.9
By Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell
For the 9th Edition of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival, brothers Brett Butler and Jason Butler present their headline feature, “Purgatory Jack,” as part of the thrilling Psych Night lineup. Drawing inspiration from hardboiled detective tales while exploring the afterlife, the Butlers craft a unique narrative set in an eccentric and irreverent purgatory, blending elements of gritty graphic novels, stylized 1950s detective noir, and the quirky ambiance of “Beetlejuice.”
The story follows fresh-faced newcomer and 80’s vibe rockstar Viv Vacious, who, while tenuously holding on to life during a drug overdose in the real world, embarks on a surreal road trip crossing the vastness of purgatory in search of answers about her mother’s suicide. Within this peculiar realm, time stands still, and beauty rituals are akin to the cosmetic aesthetics of Dr. Frankenstein, with inhabitants readily swapping body parts. Viv Vacious, teetering on the edge of life and death in the real world, discovers her irresistible scent is a tether, linking the residents of purgatory to their former lives. As she inadvertently invokes their cherished memories, she becomes a target, pursued by those desperate for her blood.
The narrative ignites when Viv connects with Jack Marlin, a cantankerous detective reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s Jake Gittes in “Chinatown.” Reflecting on the film’s genesis, Brett explains, “We thought, what would be the mystery he’s solving? Our initial discussion was about the missing sex workers everywhere and also the missing indigenous women here in Canada. We weren’t sure we could take on that story from our perspective. What we could do is create an allegory for (it).” This allegory manifests through the mystery of missing female musicians.
It is no accident that the filmmakers chose purgatory as the setting. A realm unrestricted by the constraints of reality, there they could weave a narrative free from time and space, allowing their imaginations to roam freely. With the backdrop of time as we understand it being rendered obsolete, the brothers seamlessly incorporate filmmaking elements spanning over 40 years without the risk of disjointedness. “Purgatory becomes faceless and nameless. Now the characters can represent the different eras we so much enjoy watching,” Jason explains.
Music plays a crucial role in setting the mood of the film. “We’re massive music appreciators,” Brett emphasizes. Their upbringing in Indonesia in the 80s exposed them to a seemingly endless supply of bootleg tapes. With those tapes and intensely studying Scorcese films, the brothers developed a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of needle-drop moments in cinema and how those moments profoundly influence the mood and power of a scene.
Their shared upbringing informs their creative synergy on every level. “Growing up in the same house, watching the same movies, having the same sensibilities in comedy. We can just get there quicker. We can be abrupt with each other and know it’s for the benefit of the film.” Jason explains how brotherhood impacts their collaboration when asked about it. “It’s also interesting,” Brett interjects, “Jay’s left-handed, and I’m right-handed. So we can also interpret something differently, and that helps with collaborators.”
“Purgatory Jack” provides a captivating glimpse into the profound collaborative depth of these brothers. They create worlds where anything is possible, and everything is funny.
PURGATORY JACK screens at RIFF’s PSYCH NIGHT at The Prospector Theater, Friday, May 17th at 7pm.
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