: Buschel has a famously combative relationship with modern "independent" cinema. He often avoids what he calls the "traps" of the industry—such as "quirky family dysfunction" or "cold Brooklyn hipster films"—to focus instead on atmosphere, emotion, and "patience" in his storytelling.
They decided not to fix everything. There was no sudden restoration with spotlights and new posters. Instead, they did small things: cleared the aisles, repaired a rail, put a new bulb in the chandelier. They invited one person at a time — the pianist, the woman with handbills, the ticket-seller — and let them occupy the stage for a short, private evening. People came with teacups and patched coats and songs scraped from the edges of years. They read lines from old plays, hummed forgotten melodies, and sometimes just sat in the dark and let their memories settle. noah buschel
They stood inside, breathing the hush. Iris set the box onstage and opened it. The snow globe had a figure wedged between the plastic and the waterless glass — a ballerina turned sideways, forever mid-pirouette. The brass key fit into nothing that was immediately visible, but when Noah slid it along the edge of the stage, a seam gave way and a narrow drawer fell into his hand. In it were letters: small, folded rectangles tied with ribbon, each addressed to no one and everyone. : Buschel has a famously combative relationship with
In recent years, Buschel has continued to push the boundaries of storytelling, experimenting with new formats and styles. His 2020 film , a surreal, genre-bending horror film, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim. There was no sudden restoration with spotlights and
Similarly, represents perhaps Buschel’s most refined work. The film stars Marin Ireland as an agoraphobic former actress who forms a relationship with her plumber (Paul Sparks). Confined almost entirely to an apartment, the film relies entirely on dialogue and performance. It is a masterclass in theatricality within a cinematic framework, stripping away external distractions to focus on the awkward, painful, and ultimately hopeful process of human connection.