TYREL (now playing in theaters) is a drama/social thriller written and directed by Sebastián Silva (THE MAID, NASTY BABY).

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the Chilean filmmaker, about the issues and dynamics insightfully tackled in his latest film.

The main cast includes Jason Mitchell (MUDBOUND), Christopher Abbott (JAMES WHITE), Michael Cera (JUNO, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Michael Zegen (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Interacting with friends of friends usually feels like trying to put together a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit. You really captured that very relatable awkwardness.

Yeah. I think that the fact that Tyrel is black, brings a whole other layer on top of that. It creates a lot of suspense and expectation for the audience, because of this country’s history. Americans really suffer through this movie because they are in a constant state of tension. They sense that sooner or later things will get bloody and someone will get hurt. But there is no moment in the film where these people are being overtly racist or violent against this guest. On the contrary, they seem very welcoming, but that doesn’t really matter.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Did you want to explore this primitive savagery that lies below our civilized society?

I wanted to portray this male attitude… a rowdy behavior that passes for masculinity. It makes the environment even more hostile for someone that feels insecure. Usually, you will try to find shelter and support by talking about your insecurities and exposing them. But Tyrell feels too threatened by this brutal behavior to show any vulnerability.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Have you ever experienced microaggressions, or a level of uneasiness, as a South American living here in the U.S.?

I definitely have, but as a light-skinned Latino so I have been very privileged my whole life. But yeah, sometimes I say “I am from Chile” and someone responds “I have been to Brazil!” as if it was the same thing because both are in South America. I have made Americans feel uncomfortable because I have an accent. You can feel a sense of fear coming to them, like they are thinking “Oh, my god! Is he even understanding what I am saying? I will just smile and pretend that I like him, until someone saves me from this.” That is the extent of what I had suffered. The real problem is the accumulation: African Americans are sick and tired of suffering straight up aggression, and then microaggressions on top of that.

Credit: Courtesy Magnolia Pictures

TYREL is now playing in theaters.

TYREL follows Tyler, who joins his friend on a trip to the Catskills for a weekend birthday party with several people he doesn’t know. As soon as they get there, it’s clear that (1) he’s the only black guy, and (2) it’s going to be a weekend of heavy drinking. Although Tyler is welcomed, he can’t help but feel uneasy in “Whitesville.” The combination of all the testosterone and alcohol starts to get out of hand, and Tyler’s precarious situation starts to feel like a nightmare.