Interview: Mel Eslyn – Biosphere

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The symbiotic relationship between Mel Eslyn and Mark Duplass is akin to the dynamic between Mario and Luigi – each vital to the other’s existence. This comedic duo, along with other members of their closely-knit extended family, notably the iconic Lynn Shelton (whom we lost in 2020), has been a cornerstone of the American indie scene for over a decade. With a prolific output, they have collectively shaped the landscape. Now, the cheerleader pom-poms have shifted into Mark’s hands, as it was Mel Eslyn’s turn to step behind the camera for her feature film debut. Notably, Biosphere was made a surprise, last-minute addition at TIFF, and the decision to keep the details of its unraveling a secret only adds to its intrigue. You see, Eslyn packs a lot into a film which by appearances appears to be a simple buddy stuck on a desert island dramedy that pushes besties Billy (Mark Duplass) and Ray (Sterling K. Brown) to a no “man’s land and true new frontiers.

I got to speak to Mel at the American Film Festival in Wroclaw, Poland – we looked back on how Room 104 helped change the landscape, the shorthand between her and Mark, and the score design by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans.

Eric Lavallée
Eric Lavalléehttps://www.ericlavallee.com
Eric Lavallée is the founder, CEO, editor-in-chief, film journalist, and critic at IONCINEMA.com, established in 2000. A regular at Sundance, Cannes, and Venice, Eric holds a BFA in film studies from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. In 2013, he served on the narrative competition jury at the SXSW Film Festival. He was an associate producer on Mark Jackson’s "This Teacher" (2018 LA Film Festival, 2018 BFI London). In 2022, he was a New Flesh Juror for Best First Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival. His top films for 2023 include The Zone of Interest (Glazer), Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Pham Thien An), Totem (Lila Avilés), La Chimera (Alice Rohrwacher), All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (Raven Jackson). He is a Golden Globes Voter.

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