Cold Bull
Short Films, Documentary, 14-Jan-2022
A group of Alaskan fishermen do everything it takes to stay awake and not crash their boat. “Cold Bull,” directed by Ben Gordon, is a deranged commercial for Red Bull (not really), or a loopy experimental documentary about “living the sweet life” (also not really). It’s the summer and the fishing is good. The boys set the nets and catch the fish, and as long as they can stay awake, all is well. That’s where the mini-fridge packed tight with Red Bull comes in. (When they run out, another boat arrives with more cases). But staying awake is not as easy as all that, and the film lulls the viewer into a dreamy headspace with whispered voiceover and electro-jazz score. -KA. Movie by Ben Gordon. Music by Henry Solomon. Featuring the salmon seine crew of the F/V Ace.