Wicker Kittens

Wicker Kittens is a documentary film that was released in the year 2014. It is unique, intriguing, and provides a delightful twist on the common perception of documentaries. The film dives deep into the enthralling world of competitive jigsaw puzzles, a vibrant yet seldom-explored aspect of pop culture. The title "Wicker Kittens" itself is derived from a popular type of jigsaw puzzle that usually depicts a delightful discovery waiting to burst out from wicker baskets – frequently kittens, thus shaping an appropriate emblem for the entire community of puzzle solvers.

The film is directed by Amy C. Elliott, who boldly pushes her creative talent from the usual mainstream topics and instead ventures into this unconventional arena. Elliott, who has a knack for revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary, does an excellent job of highlighting the intensity, passion, and unpredictability usually associated with traditional sports and transfers them to this lesser-known form of competition.

The film opens the door to the fascinating and intense world of puzzle competitions held every year in Saint Paul, Minnesota at the Winter Carnival. This seemingly simple to grasp yet incredibly vast universe of jigsaw puzzling harbors a broad range of individuals of various ages and backgrounds who all share an intense passion for this pastime. As observed in the documentary, it is indeed a delight to watch these individuals transition from casual puzzle enthusiasts to hardcore competitors, matching not just their wits but their physical dexterity and a keen eye for detail under the pressure of the tournament clock.

Wicker Kittens follows several teams, each consisting of four people, as they race against the clock and each other to assemble a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle as quickly as possible.

Every team has a unique reason to compete, showcasing a spectrum of motivations like passion, pride, camaraderie, overcoming personal loss and upholding family tradition. The competitive spirit is palpable on the day of the competition, and the film captures the anticipation, tension, and exhilaration that swirl around the contest.

However, the film is not solely about the contest. Rather, it uses the competition as a lens to explore the people behind it and their relationship with the world of puzzles. The interactions between the team members, their varied strategies, their nervous anticipation, the anxious flipping and sorting of pieces, the triumphant moments of fitting the last piece in place are all pieces of the puzzle that depict a broader picture. The dynamics between the teams and within them, the familial bonding that happens over the puzzle table, the cross-generation passion, and the sense of collective accomplishment hints at the reasons why puzzles have enraptured people over centuries.

Wicker Kittens also spends much of its time delving into the lives of the competitors outside the contest. The audience gets an intimate glance into their personal lives - their homes, families, occupations and how their affinity for puzzles affects their daily lives. The film also explores the therapeutic value of puzzles in an age where electronic entertainment dominates most people's free time.

Elliott's effort to make the seemingly niche activity of jigsaw puzzling accessible to the audience is widely successful. She takes the viewers on a journey that is entertaining, engrossing, and sometimes surprisingly intense. The film’s eccentricity and often humorous portrayal of events and personalities elicit refreshing charisma, reflecting the diverse group that this hobby appeals to.

The production values are modest, but perfectly suited to the subject matter, based on the folksy charm and humble simplicity of the competition itself. The editing is crisp, keeping the pace lively and tension appropriately high. The cinematography is beautifully done, often focusing on the individual pieces that combine to make up the puzzle, mirroring the various stories that come together to deliver the bigger story in the film.

Wicker Kittens is an affectionate portrayal of a hobby that for many escalates into a dedication, presenting us a quirky and jovial representation of American pop culture. It is an offbeat documentary that unassumingly chronicles the wonders of human interest and passion, appealing not only to jigsaw enthusiasts but also to those who value the beauty of complexities, camaraderie and innocent obsession.

As the quirky world of competitive jigsaw puzzling unfolds on the screen, Wicker Kittens seems to remind us that, much like puzzles, when assembled piece by piece, any form of human affinity and dedication can create a compelling and delightful picture.