It's a bit difficult to describe Beasts of the Southern Wild without creating too much expectation or misleading someone. Essentially, it's the story of Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis), a young girl living with her unorthodox father on the river somewhere in the southern U.S. The tone is mystical "“ director Benh Zeitlin has created an alternate world here "“ and the film is loaded with surreal imagery and rich colors. It's got its own mythology, its own way of speaking, its own way of operating. The director's vision is completely realized.
The performances are nothing short of phenomenal, especially Quvenzhane, who disappears completely into her role with the quiet confidence of a girl who knows her home. At such a young age, Wallis already possesses a miraculous screen presence. Her performance is unquestionably one of the best by a child actor in recent memory. Dwight Henry is excellent as the father as well, striving to raise a strong daughter on his own as his health is slowly slipping away. There are moments of great humor, tremendous beauty and debilitating tragedy, but they all surround Wallis' Hushpuppy: she's the beating heart of this incredibly rich experience.
Beast of the Southern Wild is competing in the US Dramatic Competition.
This film has been purchased by Fox Searchlight.
