LBB Film Club: Land of Lost Toys
“Broken things still have a purpose in life”, is a powerful statement echoing through the trailer of director Nick Stachurski’s upcoming documentary short, ‘Land of Lost Toys’.
Exploring Detroit’s stray dog endemic through the lens of dog rescuer and protagonist, James, the emotionally-charged documentary aims to give a voice to the voiceless, challenge societal structures and systemic issues and shine a light on the “resilience of both humans and animals”.
The issue is one that’s close to the Little Minx director’s heart; an animal lover and rescue volunteer himself, the film is not only an ode to dogs - encouraging people to foster, adopt or support local charities - but a wider commentary on society, “to shed light on the human-animal bond and how it’s essential to fostering empathy and understanding in our societies”.
Shot on 35mm film, the documentary weaves the complexities of the problem at hand together; from the pressures facing the rescuing communities, to the breeders simply trying to make a living and provide for their families.
Currently making its way through the festival circuit, ‘Land of Lost Toys’ has recently been awarded AFI Fest’s coveted Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Short, praised for its exploration of “the humanity of a group of people in Detroit who fight not only for their survival but also for companions who can’t on their own.”
You can take a look at the trailer and find out more about the film in the interview with LBB’s Abi Lightfoot below.
LBB> The stray dog endemic in Detroit has been an ongoing problem for many years now. Why did you choose to tackle the issue on screen, and why was it the right time to do so?
Nick> The stray dog epidemic in Detroit is not just a local issue - it's a reflection of broader social and systemic challenges, like the lack of municipal support and the pervasive culture of disposability. I felt compelled to address this because it’s an issue close to my heart. My time as a volunteer has given me first hand insight into the transformative role dogs can play in our lives. It’s not just about rescuing animals - it’s about the deep emotional and therapeutic connection they provide in return. The time felt right to tell this story because it’s about more than the stray dogs of Detroit; it's a universal issue that affects communities worldwide. Through this film, I wanted to shed light on the human-animal bond and how it’s essential to fostering empathy and understanding in our societies.
LBB> What was your overarching aim for the film before you started shooting? What did you hope to achieve?
Nick> Before starting this project, I knew that I didn’t just want to make a film about stray dogs. I wanted to create a narrative that explored the resilience of both humans and animals. The film is deeply personal to me; it's about showing how dogs, in their own way, help us heal just as much as we help them. I hoped to inspire audiences to think about the importance of fostering and rescuing animals - not as a charity, but as a mutual relationship built on love and empathy. By following James and the larger dog-rescue community in Detroit, I aimed to show that this is about more than just saving lives - it’s about changing hearts and minds.
LBB> How did you familiarise yourself with the dog rescuing community, gaining their trust to share their experiences and insight with you?
Nick> I began volunteering in the dog rescue community because of my deep love for animals, particularly dogs. Over the course of four years, I dedicated countless hours to volunteering - whether it was helping out at shelters, participating in rescue missions, or fostering animals in need. As I spent more time with the community, I realised that this was a cause I wanted to highlight in a more impactful way. The more I worked alongside the dedicated rescuers, the more I understood the complexities of the issues they face, from limited resources to the emotional toll of rescuing animals. It became clear to me that I needed to create a film to give a voice to the often-overlooked world of dog rescue. The trust I gained from the community came from my personal investment - not just as a filmmaker, but as someone who had been in the trenches, working alongside them and seeing first hand how much they give to these animals. This gave me a unique perspective and allowed me to authentically capture their stories.
LBB>Tell me more about the protagonist, James. How did you first meet and what was it like working with him so closely on such a sensitive topic?
Nick> James’ story is one of resilience and transformation. Despite coming from a difficult upbringing that included abuse from his father and times of severe financial distress, he has risen above those odds to dedicate his life to helping dogs and people in need. I first met James through the dog rescue community, and what struck me was not just his passion for animals but his own deeply personal journey. His ability to overcome his past and use his experiences to fuel his work with dogs speaks to his strength and compassion. Working with him was incredibly meaningful - he doesn’t just rescue dogs, he helps people too, offering emotional support and guidance to others in similar situations. His story is a testament to how helping animals can, in turn, help people heal. It was an honour to work closely with him, as he opened up about his own struggles and the ways in which his relationship with dogs has been a source of healing.
LBB> Not only shining a light on the tireless work of the dog rescuing community, you also speak to breeders. Why was it important to you to highlight these two perspectives?
Nick> The inclusion of breeders was essential to showing the full complexity of the issue. While breeders are often seen as part of the problem, especially when it comes to contributing to the stray dog epidemic, I wanted to explore their perspective and provide a more nuanced understanding. Many breeders in Detroit are simply trying to make a living in a city that has faced significant financial hardship. For them, breeding dogs is a livelihood, and they often do so with good intentions. However, the reality is that accidental backyard breeding has become a by-product of misinformation and a lack of resources for spaying and neutering. These breeders aren’t necessarily ‘bad people’, but rather part of a cycle driven by circumstances. By showing their stories, I wanted to humanise them and highlight the impact of systemic issues, such as the lack of affordable veterinary care. It was important for me to honour their families and acknowledge that while their practices may contribute to the overpopulation problem, their motivations are rooted in a desire to provide for their families in difficult times.
LBB> Tell me about the choice to shoot on 35mm film, did this impact the way the narrative came together?
Nick> Shooting on 35mm film added a layer of texture and warmth that I felt mirrored the human-animal bond. The graininess of the film helped to highlight the emotional depth of the story, underscoring the rawness and imperfection of life. Just as dogs are imperfect and require grace, the film’s approach was designed to capture the nuances and emotional weight of the subject matter. The process of shooting on film also allowed us to slow down and really consider each shot—much like we need to slow down and consider the needs of our dogs, especially when they are struggling. This analogue format gave the story the richness and authenticity it deserved. I also have to note that shooting on film and finding this narrative structure could not have been done without the support of Sam Davis (DP, producer), Josh Beebe (editor) and Jack Anderson (producer).
LBB> What were the biggest lessons learned from the process, and what are you the most proud of?
Nick> One of the biggest lessons I learned was just how interconnected human and animal welfare is. Displacement is a huge issue, and when people are struggling, their pets often become a source of emotional support. However, the lack of shelters that accept pets and the high cost of veterinary care create insurmountable barriers. It became clear to me that any conversation about animal rescue needs to also address the needs of the people who are rescuing and fostering these animals. I’m proud of how this film captured the complexity of these issues and hopefully inspires a conversation about how we can better support both animals and the people who love them.
LBB> The film is making its way through the festival circuit at the moment, what do you hope that audiences will learn and take away from the film?
Nick> I hope audiences leave the film with a deeper understanding of the importance of fostering and rescuing dogs. More than that, I hope they walk away with a greater appreciation for the human-animal bond and the transformative power it has on both sides. The film isn’t just about animal rescue—it’s about community, compassion, and empathy. I want viewers to recognise that the work being done in places like Detroit can have a ripple effect in their own communities. Ultimately, I hope it encourages people to take action, whether it’s by adopting, fostering, or supporting local rescues.
LBB> Finally, if you were to begin this process again, would you do anything differently?
Nick> If I were to start the process again, I’d focus on expanding the budget to allow us to shoot some of the scenes in the winter. The harsh winters in Detroit are a crucial part of the stray dog problem, and being able to capture that would have added even more depth to the narrative. I would also want to follow the rescue of a single dog more closely, highlighting their medical treatment and the journey into their forever home. We already have a mosaic of characters, but weaving a more cohesive story arc around one dog would provide a deeper emotional connection for the audience. Integrating this story into the existing film would give the audience a more personal perspective, blending the larger issue with an intimate, individual narrative of rescue and recovery.
