Beasts of the Southern Wild
"The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece... the entire universe will get busted." This is a fantastic film about a father and daughter living on a fictional island referred to as “The Bathtub” in the Louisiana Bayou during the events leading up to Hurricane Katrina. It is based on the stories and conditions faced by real island communities during that time and adapted from the one-act play Juicy and Delicious.
Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, is the daughter of Wink (Dwight Henry). The film depicts their relationship as detached yet loyal. Wink has taught Hushpuppy how to survive on her own in a community where the houses are shacks, food is raised or slaughtered, and sobriety is hard to come by. The Bathtub is isolated from the city by a large levee, making it vulnerable to severe flooding. Hushpuppy's education from her father, accompanied by her imagination, lead her on an emotional journey of survival during Hurricane Katrina where she attempts to find where she fits in the universe.
The movie's gritty monologues between father and daughter, and its interpretation of Hushpuppy’s dreams through fantasy relay many underlying themes that hit close to home for those whom have ever been affected by natural disasters.
If my score of a nine and review aren’t enough to convince you, the film (which was originally only screened at film festivals) was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2012. These included: Best Director (Benh Zeitlin), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress for Wallis's portrayal of Hushpuppy (she was 9 years old by the way… the youngest ever to receive a nomination), and of course, Best Picture.
Written August 6, 2013
Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, is the daughter of Wink (Dwight Henry). The film depicts their relationship as detached yet loyal. Wink has taught Hushpuppy how to survive on her own in a community where the houses are shacks, food is raised or slaughtered, and sobriety is hard to come by. The Bathtub is isolated from the city by a large levee, making it vulnerable to severe flooding. Hushpuppy's education from her father, accompanied by her imagination, lead her on an emotional journey of survival during Hurricane Katrina where she attempts to find where she fits in the universe.
The movie's gritty monologues between father and daughter, and its interpretation of Hushpuppy’s dreams through fantasy relay many underlying themes that hit close to home for those whom have ever been affected by natural disasters.
If my score of a nine and review aren’t enough to convince you, the film (which was originally only screened at film festivals) was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2012. These included: Best Director (Benh Zeitlin), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress for Wallis's portrayal of Hushpuppy (she was 9 years old by the way… the youngest ever to receive a nomination), and of course, Best Picture.
Written August 6, 2013