Tombstone Rashomon

Tombstone Rashomon is an innovative and experimental film released in 2017, and it occupies a unique niche in the Western genre. The screenplay was crafted with artistic ingenuity by Alex Cox, known for Rebecca's Wild Farm and Searchers 2.0. This film is not just a recounting of the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral - instead, it offers a thorough and deeply immersive interpretation of the event's tangled, complex chronology. The film stars Adam Newberry, Jesse Lee Pacheco, and Christine Doidge among others in a blend of historical drama, science fiction, and western genres. The director cleverly hybridizes these genres, producing a film that simultaneously explores both historical and contemporary themes.

The film begins when a crew of time-traveling filmmakers from the future land in Tombstone, Arizona, circa 1881. Unfortunately, they arrive a day late to document the legendary Gunfight at the O.K Corral – one of the most famous shootouts in the American Wild West history. Undeterred, they decide to interview the survivors, aiming to capture as many distinct accounts of the event as possible.

As central figures and key players in the town, Wyatt Earp (Newberry) and Doc Holliday (Pacheco) appear extensively throughout the interviews. Bearing witness to the reliability, or perhaps unreliability, of memory and truth, they interact with the time-traveling filmmakers. Meanwhile, Doidge turns in an impressive performance as the independent and charismatic Big Nose Kate, adding a touch of authentic femininity and raw toughness to the rugged male-dominated scenery.

The title of the film, Tombstone Rashomon, unabashedly suggests an intersection with Akira Kurosawa's seminal work, "Rashomon," where multiple viewpoints are used to depict a single event. This technique is a nod to director Cox's meticulous attention to the multiplicity of narratives surrounding historical event, mirroring the rich tapestry narrated in Kurosawa's masterpiece. However, Tombstone Rashomon builds upon this inspiration by adding the charming twist of time-traveling detectives.

Indeed, the film heavily capitalizes on the premise that history is often subjective, changing with perspective, and prone to the fallibility of personal biases and power dynamics. It illuminates how the past is often a product of an ongoing process of collective memory, ripe with distortions and fabrications. The final product then is a fascinating deconstruction of the differing perceptions of the historic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, breaking away from the traditionally linear method of storytelling to explore the more subjective aspects of history.

The cinematography throughout the film amplifies its unique positioning within the Western genre. Through a blend of sepia-tones complemented by crisp and fluid action sequences, the visuals are as deeply layered as the story itself. Tombstone Rashomon offers a new perspective on the portrayal and understanding of western landscapes, imposing a gritty realness that goes beyond the stereotypical portrayals of the genre.

The film's casting is also a commendable effort. From the brooding stoicism of Newberry's Wyatt Earp to the fiery irreverence of Pacheco's Doc Holliday, each of the key players manage to bring their characters to life. They not only portray their roles but also seem to inhabit their character's inner worlds and emotional landscapes.

While the film received mixed reviews, it was often lauded for developing a new interpretation of an old narrative, giving the audience an opportunity to re-examine the way common historical events are approached and retold. The movie is a notable entry into the oeuvre of Alex Cox, who previously gifted cinema with the cult film, "Repo Man".

Tombstone Rashomon is more than just a reiteration of a well-trodden historical event. It is a clever and imaginative effort to renew old tales, delivering a multi-dimensional narrative that stimulates reflections on the mutable nature of historical truth. While the film may not appeal to everyone's taste, it undoubtedly presents an attractive affair for those who love experimental cinema and are open to new ways of storytelling. It brings forth the broad complexity of the Homo Sapien history and the rich diversity of human experiences in a truly memorable way.