A Day in the Life: Journey to Sundance

By Shirley Venard

Editor’s Note: Daily Variety’s Jan. 28 Sundance Film Festival review of Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter notes that local member Shirley Venard is “terrific” as the kindly old widow who helps Kumiko one night. Shirley says that she was honored to work with indie filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner, “a classy, stunningly creative team,” says Venard.

As an adjunct teacher in the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre/Dance, I implore my students to approach each audition as the job itself. It is about the “work” and each delivery before the auditor is the “work.” It can be the most satisfying phase in the process. Therefore, when I read the script to Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter, I began that journey to the challenges ahead.

First, the callback — a disciplined effort in Casting Director Lynn Blumenthal’s studio. We learn the lines and let our impulses be guided by the creative team in the room. I felt a true affinity for the auditioning group and hoped that this might be my part. Well, I was cast — Yippee! Then it was on to the rewarding work.

Next, from eastern Minnesota to the western plains, the cameras rolled. The weather pleased the crew, as it was stormy and cold and the tundra was bleak and empty of people. Brothers David and Nathan Zellner were caring and upbeat in their choices as artists, treating us all as part of their family. Every step in the filming during the week of my character’s involvement was easy and thoughtful and a serious unfolding of a long-dreamed storytelling. My screen partner was Rinko Kikuchi, who played the title role of Kumiko with grace and a seriousness of purpose. We bonded immediately, but with an Asian sense of privacy prevailing. The abandoned farmhouse (my house) had undergone a comfy transformation, adding figurines, afghans, crystal, dust in fragile flight and more. It was indeed the widow’s home. The bitter weather added to the story that was unfolding. Soooo … we wrapped, as that was the last scene to be shot. Next, we waited for the news from the Austin, Texas filmmakers. Editing proceeded, and 10 months later, Lynn gots news that of 1,200 entrants for the Sundance Film Festival, Kumiko is one of only 16 feature films to be considered among the 117 total films!

Lynn and I flew out to the Sundance Festival to view the finished version of this loving project. And rich and compelling it is, gaining positive reviews and larger audiences each day of the festival —attentive and complimentary audiences. The Zellners and crew called me to join them in the Q&A on stage following the Sundance showing. How great is that? Could this be real? Can a thrilling experience from the first day to last really come to such an exuberant end? Now, we are hopeful that this lush and stunning story can touch audience sensibilities across the country and beyond. Thank you to the gifted artists from Austin, Japan and Minnesota — and, of course, thank you to SAG-AFTRA!

From left, Nathan Zellner, Shirley Venard, Lynn Blumenthal and David Zellner. Photo courtesy Lynn Blumenthal 

This item was originally featured in the February 2014 local newsletter.