BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Benh Zeitlin’s debut film Beasts of the Southern Wild defies classification, mixing themes of climate change with fantasy in a moving and stunning film.
Six year-old Hush Puppy lives in an excluded bayou island community called ‘The Bathtub’ with her unpredictable father. She is mostly left to her own devices, growing up in the wild, observing the intricate unifying elements of nature and the universe. The local school concentrates its education on emergency training for natural disasters, building survival skills, and recognizing deadly animals. Hushpuppy’s world dismantles when her father is stricken by a mysterious illness, a storm hits ‘The Bathtub’ leaving survivors to rebuild their life with the remains, and prehistoric animals, released by global warming, arrive at their doorstep.
Beautiful cinematography, direction and soundtrack combine with budding Quvenzhané Wallis’ brilliant acting to create this magical film. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival, this film is a must-see.
***1/2
