OzLand is a 2015 American fantasy/sci-fi drama independent film starring Zack Ratkovich and Glenn Payne. It was written and directed by Michael Williams in his feature film debut.
The film's story and characters are inspired by and are references to characters and events that appear in L. Frank Baum's children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz .
Plot[]
Two men, Lief (Ratkovich) and Emri (Payne), wander through the fields and abandoned homes of a post-apocalyptic Kansas searching for food. Leif, the younger of the two and the only one who can read, finds a copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and begins to treat the novel as if it were historical nonfiction, using their surroundings as proof. Leif comes to question whether OzLand is "home" as described by Dorothy, while Emri suggests every day is a journey through "home".
Release[]
OzLand held its premiere in Columbus, Mississippi on September 4, 2014, followed by screenings at the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, Oxford Film Festival, Tupelo Film Festival and FestivalSouth Film Expo throughout the following year. It made its theatrical debut in Hollywood on October 16, 2015,[2] followed by its release on internet streaming platforms four days later. It was released to DVD on July 26, 2016. The film made its United Kingdomdebut on Flix Premiere on October 4, 2016. The film is currently available DVD, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and other VOD platforms. It is available in Japan, Germany, and the UK via Amazon Prime.
Response[]
The film overall received mixed reviews, with critics praising the cinematography, music and directing, while a few criticized the writing. Ryan Jay of Premiere Radio Networks wrote a positive review, saying "It’s brilliant! The story is complete and fulfilling; such an impressive accomplishment. The cinematography is extraordinary and meticulous. It’s shot like it was backed by a major studio with a blockbuster budget."
Jacob Medel of Life in LA wrote that "OzLand is rich with detail and powerful character-driven storytelling. Written, produced and directed by Michael Williams, the film is a singular vision that follows Leif and Emri as they travel across a barren wasteland in search of a place to call home."