Courtesy of The Salamander King
Audio By Carbonatix
Buckle up your golf carts and grab your nine irons: Texas is about to crown a new cinematic hero. The Salamander King will make its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival, delivering a heartfelt love letter to Austin’s quirky charm and the unbreakable spirit of community.
This feature debut from Texas native Austin Nichols, celebrated for his roles in The Walking Dead and last year’s The Six Triple Eight, promises a comedy film packed with hometown pride and high jinks.
We got early access to the teaser trailer, which wastes no time hooking you with a dry, sly wit. An old golf course sign flashes on the screen, proclaiming “Swingers Welcome,” and we’re off.
Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars) opens the scene as the underdog golf pro brimming with hope, even as his beloved Austin Municipal Golf Course stands on the brink of collapse. “Some people look at this course, and all they see is its flaws,” his voiceover echoes against shots of rolling greens and worn-down fairways. “Well, I see something different. A place where people from all walks of life can feel welcome. Most of all, I see Austin.”
The city becomes a star. Through vibrant scenes of buzzing food trucks, lazy afternoons paddling along Lady Bird Lake and glimpses of Austin’s iconic “Hi, How Are You” mural, we aren’t just watching a movie; we’re falling headfirst into a tribute to the weird, wonderful soul of the Texas capital.
This isn’t just a film about golf; it’s about standing your ground when what makes your home home is threatened. Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) shines as a buttoned-up city official whose sharp eye might just bulldoze tradition for something shinier, while Temple Baker (Everybody Wants Some!!), Bill Wise (Apollo 10 1â„2: A Space Age Childhood) and Dulcé Sloan bring perfectly timed chaos as the misfits who form a team of green-saving rebels. And then there’s former NFL star Reggie Bush, in his cinematic debut, proving that whether on the field or the screen, he’s the definition of explosiveness.
And yet, no one eclipses the scene-stealing power of the community. The characters flit across the screen like that beer-can-strewn inflatable pool we glimpse in one movie still, or like Hansen posing with Palicki in her bright red cheerleader outfit aboard a weathered golf cart as if a game-changing play is just a tee shot away. Nichols’ direction makes one thing clear: We’re all in this together, slacking and scheming and striving under the Texas sun.
Slated to charm audiences on Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at Cinépolis Victory Park, with an encore screening on Saturday, April 26th, at 8:30 p.m. The Salamander King is kicking off DIFF with a bang. With its Austin quirks and universal heart, it’s a story that Texans from Dallas to the Hill Country can rally behind.
Join the rebellion on the greens. Come for the laughs. Stay for the Texas-sized heart.
Passes are available now, offering a variety of options to fit your festival experience:
- Star Plus Pass – $500
- Star Pass – $250
- Festival Pass – $200
- Film Pass – $100
For more details and to purchase, visit the official ticket page at diffdallas.org/diff/passes.
