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Despite the Gods

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Jennifer Lynch, daughter of cult film auteur David Lynch, made her auspicious directorial debut in 1993 with Boxing Helena at the Sundance Film Festival. Fifteen years later, a recovering addict and hard-working single mother, Lynch returns to the director’s chair with an ambitious project that will test her skills and the entire crew’s sanity.
Despite the Gods brings us behind the scenes on the set of Lynch’s Bollywood/Hollywood action film about a man-eating snake goddess. As the story in front of the camera derails, the story behind the camera explodes.


Press

  • David Lynch's filmmaker daughter, Jennifer, proves a natural on-camera talent in Penny Vozniak's directing debut.
    The Hollywood Reporter
  • This is a penetrating, highly entertaining portrait of Lynch as an artist and single mother living through the despairing lows and exhilarating highs of filming on the subcontinent.
    Richard Kuipers, Variety
  • Vozniak shines a light on this controversial and misunderstood director, and everyone’s falling in love with her. Despite the Gods is a joy from start to finish.
    Sophia Satchell Baeza, Grolsch Film Works
  • Despite the Gods is essential viewing for any filmmaker, film fan and anyone with an interest in true documentary filmmaking that puts modern day reality television to shame and avoids the typical ‘”talking heads” route.
    Films and Moving Pictures
  • It is one of the strongest films about the trials and madness of moviemaking that you will ever encounter.
    Fantasia
  • Despite The Gods is a low budget docu-delight. Lynch is the beating, empathic heart of the film, an endearing combination of raw emotional honesty and self-deprecating humor
    Samantha Chater, Indie Wire
  • Simply a wonderful film for any fans of filmmaking and one of my personal favorites of the festival so far.
    David Voigt, Toronto Independent Film Examiner
  • Despite the Gods stands alone as a valuable and brutally honest insight into the everyday life of a full time director and single mother. The film also provides us with a snapshot into the culture of modern day India, with particular emphasis on the themes of sexuality, poverty and class systems.
    Filmbiotic
  • Despite the Gods creates a loving portrait of an honest woman who stands up for what she believes in and strives to create something of value.
    Jason Reed, The 500 Club
  • It's a rare doc that starts out with me not caring about the protagonist and ends with me adding her to my have-dinner-with fantasy list.
    BRIEF reviews by KAT
  • Penny Vozniak’s compelling documentary Despite the God’s captures the literal blood, sweat and tears involved in the process of making a film.
    Winsome Walker, Megaphone Oz
  • DESPITE THE GODS is destined to be a classic.
    Rue Morgue

Festival Participation

  • Stockholm Film Festival
  • Raindance Film Festival
  • Hot Docs
  • Fantasia Film Festival
  • Split Film Festival
  • SITGES

Additional Materials

Distribution Company

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