Tony Tost, the visionary showrunner behind "Poker Face" who made hisfeature directorial bow with "Americana," eagerly anticipates a future where his cinematic endeavor transcends the contemporary cultural landscape and finds appreciation beyond its immediate release. On Thursday evening, Tost took to X to share his reflections on the film, which premiered in theaters the previous weekend via Lionsgate and boasts a star-studded cast including Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, and Halsey. Revolving around a diverse ensemble in pursuit of a rare Native American artifact, the project sparked social media discourse after amassing a modest $500,000 from over 1,100 screenings.
"Movies possess the remarkable ability to transcend the ephemeral zeitgeist in which they debut," Tost posted. "As someone whose maiden film has somewhat been engulfed by this very zeitgeist, I am intrigued to witness its enduring impact once this particular moment has passed. Hopefully, it will stand tall!"
The creator of "Damnation" also unveiled a screenshot from his Letterboxd post dating back to the post-production phase in 2022, where he expressed his aspiration for the film to unfold as a serendipitous discovery for viewers. "Even then, I was aware I was crafting a 'hidden gem'—a film meant to be unearthed, rather than a blockbuster or an auteur's masterpiece," Tost elaborated. He further disclosed his initial aspiration for a career peppered with such modest treasures, citing the works of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas as inspirations: "To create an assortment of 'Sugarland Express' and 'American Graffiti'-esque films, unburdened by the pressure to deliver a 'Jaws' or 'Star Wars.'"
Nevertheless, he admitted to reconsidering this approach. "After one film under my belt, I'm uncertain if a career built solely on minor gems is viable today," Tost penned. "It seems I must aim either for greater heights or more intimate tales. I am excited for 'Americana' to be uncovered by audiences in the days, weeks, months, or even years to come. Yet, I am also grappling with the numerous lessons gleaned from this initial venture."
While Tost didn't explicitly delineate the aspects of the current zeitgeist deemed detrimental, it's worth noting that "Americana," which premiered at the 2023 South by Southwest festival, saw release less than a month after Sweeney's controversial American Eagle ad campaign, titled "Sydney Has Great Jeans," garnered social media backlash.
Hauser, too, shared his perspectives on the film during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week. The actor, whose credits span "I, Tonya," "BlacKkKlansman," and the upcoming "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," confessed that "Americana" holds a special place as his favorite among his works.
"Timing is tricky for a film like this," Hauser mused. "Regardless of whether it skyrockets to fame like 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' or fades quietly after earning $800K in theaters, it's destined for long-term success. I know people will stumble upon it, and in three years, it might become a 13-year-old's beloved film, much like 'Reservoir Dogs' was for me at their age."
Justin Lowe, reviewing "Americana" for The Hollywood Reporter, lauded Tost's portrayal of characters fueled by unbridled greed or justified necessity, noting that it gives voice to often-marginalized segments of society striving for autonomy and respect—an admirable trait in any narrative.
