Lilly Wachowski, known for her collaboration with sister Lana on The Matrix franchise, is stepping into the spotlight on her own with her solo feature directorial debut, Trash Mountain. This upcoming queer dramedy is set to explore themes of family, loss, and identity in a unique and hilarious way.
The film follows a young gay man from Chicago who is forced to return to his rural hometown in Missouri following the death of his father. The twist? His father was an extreme hoarder, leaving behind a house filled to the brim with a mixture of valuable and worthless items. Our protagonist finds himself embarking on a journey to sort through his father's mess, and in the process, he discovers more about himself and his family.
Leading the cast of Trash Mountain is the talented actor, comedian, and writer Caleb Hearon. Alongside co-writer Ruby Caster, Hearon has crafted a heartfelt script that balances beauty, sadness, and humor. Hearon, known for his stand-up comedy and writing for shows like Big Mouth's Human Resources, has been making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. His involvement in Trash Mountain promises a captivating performance that will resonate with audiences.
Lilly Wachowski expressed her excitement about working on Trash Mountain, stating, 'When my pal Caleb Hearon sent me 'Trash Mountain,' I leapt at the chance to direct it. So beautiful and sad and funny! Queer representation and stories are vital at this time as we are being shoved further into the margins. Our amazing writers, Caleb and Ruby, are a shining light in all this dang darkness.'
The film is being produced by Colin Trevorrow, renowned director of Jurassic Park, along with Eddie Vaisman and Julia Lebedev for Sight Unseen. Trevorrow, a fan of the script and the creative team behind it, considers himself fortunate to be collaborating with such talented individuals. With this remarkable combination of talent, Trash Mountain is poised to offer a fresh and captivating cinematic experience.
While Trash Mountain marks Lilly Wachowski's first solo directorial project, she has a longstanding partnership with Lana, with whom she has co-directed several films and TV shows. Following their work on the critically panned Jupiter Ascending, the sisters collaborated on the popular Netflix series Sense8. Lana then directed The Matrix Resurrections, marking her solo directorial debut on a feature film in 2021. Meanwhile, Lilly has been involved in various projects, such as the Showtime comedy series Work in Progress.
The Wachowski sisters, like other sibling filmmaking duos, have demonstrated their ability to pursue individual paths within the industry. The Coen Brothers, for example, known for their unique and critically acclaimed collaborations, have recently ventured into solo projects. Ethan Coen directed the Jerry Lee Lewis documentary Trouble in Mind and the upcoming film Drive-Away Dolls, while Joel Coen directed the highly acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth. However, their fans can also look forward to a future collaboration, as the brothers plan to reunite for a new horror film.
Similarly, the Safdie Brothers, known for their successful collaboration on Uncut Gems, have expressed a desire to explore individual projects. Benny Safdie recently mentioned in an interview that while they had worked together extensively in the past, they are now interested in pursuing their own creative visions.
The Wachowski sisters' joint directorial debut in 1996 with Bound marked the beginning of their impressive career. However, it was The Matrix in 1999 that catapulted them to international recognition and acclaim. The film became a box office phenomenon and led to two successful sequels, all of which were written and directed by Lilly and Lana. Their filmography also includes notable works such as V for Vendetta, Speed Racer, and Cloud Atlas.
As Lilly Wachowski embarks on her own directorial journey with Trash Mountain, audiences can eagerly anticipate her unique storytelling and directorial style. With Caleb Hearon leading the cast and a talented team of filmmakers behind the scenes, Trash Mountain promises to be an exciting and poignant exploration of queer identity, family dynamics, and the universal quest for understanding and acceptance.
