Barber Gull Rub

About This Movie

Barber Gull Rub is this peculiar gem from 2008 that dances between absurdity and the avant-garde. Set against the stark, frozen backdrop of Winnipeg in '86, it captures an offbeat moment in the filmmaking process of Guy Maddin. The film’s pacing is almost hypnotic as it draws you into the bizarre act of rubbing a dead seagull, which unravels layers of discomfort and dark humor. The practical effects are minimal yet effective, and the performance by Dave Barber is just, well, something that sticks with you—how often do you see someone submit their body to such a strange ritual for art? It’s not just a film; it's an experience that plays with the boundaries of art and the absurd.

Bizarre blend of comedy and surrealismUnique insight into Maddin's filmmaking processExplores themes of artistic sacrifice