Beasts of the Southern Wild

Nominated for 4 Oscars, 35 wins and 34 nominations as well as nomination for youngest best actresses, Quvenzhane′ Wallis, ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ was a cinematic gem. Written by Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar and directed by Benh Zeitlin, this 2012 film is about the survival of a 6 year old girl and her father during post-storm Katrina flooding in New Orleans. 

Another great film with the risk of working with newcomer actors Quvenzhane′ Wallis who played ‘Hushpuppy’ and father ‘Wink’ played by Dwight Henry had a solid chemistry and although some scenes were un-settling like the majority of the dilapidated environment; it spread out quite beautifully; again going to show that one can strike gold with determined players and a good story.

Narrated throughout and through the eyes of ‘Hushpuppy’, the audience was able to bond with the 6 year old and really feel her strength and pain as she tried to fix things. She learns tough love and courage through her hardships and calls on her late mother for guidance in times of despair. Filmmaker Zeitlin also uses a lot of symbolism with ancient aurochs which are prehistoric creatures similar to domestic cattle; this large bison represents the 6 year olds view of how people will look back on her life as they did these extinct animals.

With an estimated $1,800,000 USD this film has already grossed quadruple of what it put out and was more than well received at the Sundance Film Festival. This drama-fantasy was a story about love between father and daughter; a story about surviving on your own and about doing the best with what you have. People learn how to be independent at different times of their lives, and sometimes the waters rise and people have to learn whether they’re ready or not. 

Exceptional cinematography, heart-warming, disturbing and lovely close-shots and soundtrack, this is a film that will be talked about for years to come. J