Hailey Gates Wins Sundance Grand Jury Prize for Military Satire

At the recent Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Hailey Gates received the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. dramatic competition for her debut feature film, Atropia. This satirical work critiques the U.S. military, media, and the film industry, blending surreal and slapstick elements to depict a military training facility designed to prepare troops for deployment in unfamiliar countries and cultures.

In an interview during the festival, Gates revealed that her initial plans to film with the Department of Defense did not materialize. She shifted her approach, stating, “I thought I’d make a MAS*H-style film instead.” Her aim is to address what she perceives as a lack of meaningful cinematic exploration of the “9/11 generation” and its wars, contrasting it with the extensive anti-war narratives produced during the Vietnam War era. “When you look at Vietnam, all the great directors made anti-war films. But when you look at the Iraq War, there’s a real dearth,” she noted.

Exploring Themes of Imperialism and Comedy

The film features notable performances by Alia Shawkat and Callum Turner and derives its title from a fictional country, “Atropia.” Gates explains that the name was inspired by her research into U.S. military training sites, many of which carry names like Fort Irwin. “The idea, I’ve heard, is from the Greek word atrophia, meaning to atrophy, so they’re always fighting atrophy to keep the military muscle strong,” she elaborated.

Despite the tight 19-day shooting schedule on a California movie ranch, Gates found the production surprisingly organized compared to her documentary work. “I thought it was thrilling to have a schedule with time,” she recalled, expressing gratitude for the crew’s dedication to realizing her vision. “On the first morning, driving in and seeing 40 cars, I actually wept a little. I couldn’t believe all these people were here to make this stupid idea come to life.”

Gates has experience in acting and modelling, and she relishes taking on smaller roles in films to understand the directorial process. She recalled working with David Lynch, who is known for his distinct directing style. “I realized it’s not just about projection; it’s about getting the whole crew on the same emotional page,” she stated.

Challenging Norms Through Humor

While the film’s humor may seem jarring in its critique of U.S. imperialism, Gates intentionally employs this approach. “I studied experimental theater before I became a filmmaker,” she explained. “I like the idea of Trojan-horse storytelling: reeling people in through comedy and then having that comedy curdle a bit, so when you’re walking home, you start rethinking what you were laughing at.”

Gates prefers films that present moral dilemmas rather than delivering straightforward lessons. “I don’t like being taught a lesson when I watch films. I like being presented with moral quandaries and coming to conclusions on my own,” she said.

Nonetheless, the satirical nature of Atropia poses potential challenges, particularly in a climate where dissent is often suppressed. “It’s definitely a film about the American empire and its follies. I just wanted to show that it was built with flimsy plywood,” she remarked. Some international festival organizers even expressed concern that the film might offend audiences.

As Gates noted, “It might be that it isn’t a typical Sundance film: it’s not a mood piece, it’s not very sentimental. But I’d rather make something polarizing than something everybody loves.” She believes that if everyone liked the film, it would indicate a failure to challenge viewers effectively.

As Atropia prepares for its wider release, Gates remains committed to her vision of creating thought-provoking cinema that engages audiences in complex themes surrounding war and society.