Florian Potra’s film Coconut Valley, a mockumentary about two brothers searching for their father’s buried treasure, feels rather dumb and commonplace on the surface, with well-worn tropes about familial bonds and estrangement. One brother, Raymond (Sean Rey), is a video game designer who has tasted success, but now finds himself struggling. The other, Eddy (Drew Tyce), is a free spirit who resides in Thailand.
As they reconnect for their father’s funeral, Raymond takes the opportunity and a documentary crew along for the ride. Watching them at every turn as they bicker, reminisce, and drink coconut water to improve their testosterone levels. So this is an absurd buddy comedy, road trip, and treasure hunt. Made by “four guys and a camera”, it is certainly a love letter to Thailand, with beautiful locations and a sense of cultural immersion.
One strand of Coconur Valley focuses on the hunt for whatever is depicted in Daddy’s treasure map, whether it was set as a trap for his sons to highlight their greed, or meant as a way to bring them back together. The other is in the awkward relationship that is played out under the gaze of the documentary camera. Who is out to exploit who, and to what lengths will they go to?
Potra and Rey are responsible for this screenplay, which is certainly watchable but not particularly memorable. The other main character is Franz, who offers information then falls in with one of Raymond’s schemes to resurrect his career. Eddy just wants to go back to a quiet and uncomplicated life.
This is Potra’s first feature film after a couple of shorts. It is an accomplished work from the point of view of cinematography and performances, but I wasn’t really convinced by the plot or the denouement. However, if you like adventure with a touch of the ludicrous, Coconut Valley might be for you.
Coconut Valley is now heading to San Antonio Film Festival on 25 Jul.