With an aeststhetic of magical realism, Kelp stands out for its an imaginative visual style that playfully complements the classic Americana production design and overall naturalistic feel of the film.

''We're treating the kelp as if it were a typical sort of extramarital affair, as if it were a woman - another woman,'' says Cuddeback. ''What's important isn't necessarily that he chooses kelp, but rather that he chooses to be unfaithful. We didn't want the absurd nature of his decision to completely overshadow the significance of the decision itself.''

Directors' Statement:

If you ask us, we'll tell you that Kelp is a story about relationships and the delusion of finding something better. We'll say it's about a married man whose decision to have an affair results in the loss of his wife and children. Then, we'll explain in depth how it deals with the man's various attempts to rationalize that loss and come to grips with the fact that just maybe, he's made a huge mistake. If you ask anyone else, they'll probably tell you it's about a guy who has sex with a plant.

That's also true.

- Benjamin Dohrmann and Seth Roger Cuddeback, 2010