The young bohemian couple sitting next to me fled the theatre after only 10 minutes – quite obviously offended. Apparently this wasn’t what they’d signed up for. I couldn’t help but think, as they’d lined up to buy their tickets, surely the film’s titled had betrayed something of its character? Perhaps it was the opening scene, in which Gavin, Hobie and Maynard “prepare to do battle” with ridiculously oversized Styrofoam swords, that sent them packing? Or maybe it was the scene in which the emo kids wager the geek kids a ninja star they can’t find big-foot tracks? Or when the punk kids bet the metal kids they can’t run on water like the ‘Jesus’ lizard.

Certainly, The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang can’t be accused of Palme d’Or aspirations, though it did win the audience award at the Slamdance Festival. Nor will its sentimental themes of loyalty linger long after you leave. La Dolce Vita it is not. However, as harmless family entertainment goes, the film is good rollick, in a 1980s nerd-chic kind of way.

Screening as part of the That’s Incredible Cinema selection, The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang’s geek-out allure is its absurdist deadpan delivery – ala the phenomenon that was Napoleon Dynamite. And the similarities don’t end there: this film was directed by Tim Skousen – first assistant director on Napoleon Dynamite. Even Jon Heder makes a fleeting cameo.

The film’s fractured and time-warped plot – involving the search for a sasquatch, unpaid credit card bills, not so frightening bullies and an unrequited love triangle – feels a little tiresome in its delivery; however, the young cast does an excellent job of conveying nerd-teen-angst in all its glory. The standout role belongs to Joey Kern, who plays Shirts (it’s irony – he never wears a shirt), a sort of camp, permanently stoned, chicken nugget loving redneck.

The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang is probably a film that will divide fans into two camps: those who think its better than Napoleon Dynamite, and those who don’t. If the sustained laughter of the audience (of all ages) at my screening is anything to go by, it’ll certainly stand on its own two feet. And the 1980s hair-metal soundtrack is simply brilliant.—Caleb Starrenburg