The story
Samuel spends four years in the world of trainhoppers, a subculture of free-spirited hobos who illegally travel across the US hopping on the back of freight trains.
As he passes through his nostalgic, atmospheric, and historic hometown in North Carolina, he is arrested and faces a dilemma: keep on living in his marginalized world, or run the risk of falling back into the cycle of life by working as a cameraman for Sarah, a budding young filmmaker.
Trainhopper was shot across the US by an international team, and produced by private investors with a budget of $800,000. Mostly based in Durham, North Carolina, Trainhopper takes place across 7 US states and several freight trains.
The Director
Trainhopper is the feature film debut of 28-year old French filmmaker Tristan Bouan. Tristan began making short films when was 12, and started working on Trainhopper at the age of 23.
Tristan grew up moving around the globe; by his 20th birthday he had lived in 10 countries. This uprooted lifestyle is what connected him to the film’s themes.
He is already eyeing his next project, but is looking forward to bring Trainhopper out to the world.
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Trainhopper was shot across seven US states, but mostly in Durham, North Carolina. Shooting included a couple of illegal Trainhopping adventures, and speedy escapes from the police. Luckily the statute of limitations has expired.
We checked.
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Trainhopper has a way to go before being publicly released:
Film festivals, sales agents, distribution, release—these are the necessary steps before Trainhopper becomes easily available to any viewer.
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Of course!
If you’d like to see the movie for professional reasons, please send an email to trainhopperthemovie@gmail.com and we’ll send you a link.
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