SEATTLE — Abby Hagan, is the director of "Punderneath it All," a just-released movie that just won the Audience Choice Award at the 2023 Tacoma Film Festival.
When this Seattle filmmaker discovered that punning has an underground scene, she decided to make a documentary about it, going to pun-slams all over the country. A pun slam is a mashup of standup comedy, trivia night and improv, with a good deal of warmth, giggles and groans thrown into the mix.
"Once you're aware of puns, they are everywhere," said Abby, who added the topic was a natural fit for her, since she was raised as a pundamentalist. (pa dum dum. Bad joke is our fault.)
"I have always loved puns. I grew up in a very punny family," said Abby. "And it's always like, the stare, and the eye roll and then the inevitable laughter. So that's been my family dynamic forever."
Filmmaking also comes naturally to Abby - she's been comfortable behind the camera since she was a little girl. She directed, shot and edited this movie, and that wasn't the only challenge she faced making "Punderneath it All."
"I laughed so much while making this movie. I had to learn to not laugh behind the camera and mess up my audio. There was a lot of silent shoulder chuckling," she said.
As the title suggests, there's more to the movie than groaners like this one that showed up in the trailer: "What's the difference between a cat and a comma? A comma is a pause at the end of a clause, a cat has claws at the end of its paws."
"The film is absolutely about community," said Abby. "At the pun slams you are welcomed even if your jokes aren't that great. Laughter gets us through a lot. And I would like to see more funny documentary out there. So I'm glad that this can be a part of that."
Check out this locally made film when you get a chance, because....get ready for it.... it's a lot of pun.
Punderneath it All will screen at the LA Femme International Film Festival in Los Angeles Oct. 21, 2023 at 12 p.m. and streaming is available.
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