Eli Roth’s Weird Claymation Fruits Are Streaming Again!

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Did you realize that versatile actor, screenwriter, director, and producer Eli Roth, known for films like “Inglourious Basterds,” “Hostel,” “Cabin Fever,” and “Thanksgiving,” has also experimented with claymation? In the year 2000, this renowned filmmaker collaborated with his friend Noah Belson to produce an eight-part series of shorts titled “The Rotten Fruit“. These whimsical stories revolved around a group of musical fruits. Regrettably, the short-lived Z.com show only aired three out of the total eight episodes. However, for the first time in 25 years, these episodes can be viewed on the short film platform WeShort.

In a recent chat with IndieWire, Roth and Belson looked back on the genesis of their web series when they were struggling hopefuls in Hollywood, friends since childhood from Newton, Massachusetts. They also shared their ambition to rejuvenate the series, aiming for a more contemporary satirical take. As Belson, fondly remembered by Cabin Fever fans as “Guitar Man”, humorously put it, “If we have 25 more years, perhaps.

Here are some brief summaries of the episodes, courtesy of IndieWire, for those who want to learn more about the series before starting to watch:

  • Episode 1 — “The Battle of the Bands”: The Rotten Fruit compete against the popular boy band C-5 in a battle of the bands. Suspecting they might lose, the Fruit use cutthroat tactics to ensure victory.
  • Episode 2 — “Concert Riots”: After a stampede at one of their concerts resulting in the death of a fan, the band decide to put on a benefit show, with even more disastrous results.
  • Episode 3 — “The Critic”: The Rotten Fruit take their biggest critic hostage to try and win him over.
  • Episode 4 — “We Are the World”: Manager Guy The Pie Shapiro arranges a collaboration for a charity song, only for the band to learn it’s with the newly re-formed C-5.
  • Episode 5 — “Snackster”: The Rotten Fruit try to put an end to online piracy by personally going after the fans stealing their music.
  • Episode 6 — “David Lunch”: The Rotten Fruit film a music video with legendary artist and surrealist director David Lunch.
  • Episode 7 — “Room Service”: The Rotten Fruit trash a hotel room, then are tricked into cleaning it up.
  • Episode 8 — “Cancer Boy”: The Rotten Fruit decide to record a benefit song for a young peach with cancer, only to realize that no good deed goes unpunished.

‘The Rotten Fruit’ May Be Destined For More, If Eli Roth And Noah Belson Have Their Way

Despite the fact that only a select few saw it, we received numerous inquiries about additional episodes, shared Roth with IndieWire. “Our mailing list boasted thousands of people who were consistently inquiring, ‘When will more ‘Rotten Fruit’ episodes be released?'” Roth stated. “Now, our response is, ‘We are working on it, really.’

Roth handled the creation, animation, and editing of the project, even creating and singing the band’s outlandish songs. Both men provided voices for the cast, suggesting they’ll likely collaborate again on future projects. After all, there’s nothing quite like producing something absurd and hilarious with your pals (especially since that Borderlands film?).

IndieWire

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2025-04-20 15:32