July 6, 2012

A Sundance Film Festival sensation, the stunning BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD is destined to be one of 2012â??s most hotly discussed features. With an incredible cast of nonâ??professionals, the film tells an inspiring story of survival in the southernmost marshes of Louisiana. Focusing on a resilient sixâ??yearâ??old girl, the film salutes the tenacity and camaraderie of the community. They must endure not only the ravages of nature but also the attacks of predatory creatures thawed by ice marshes.

We sat down with Grand Jury Prize winning director Benh Zeitlin to discuss everything from working on his own feature film debut with first-time actors in lead roles, the production design and shooting on location in New Orleans, to getting into Sundance and Cannes film festivals and winning several awards. We also talk to two of the actors who bring the fantastically surreal world of the film to life – Dwight Henry and Quvenzhane Wallis, who play a father and daughter trying to survive the fictional section of New Orleans called the Bathtub. Check it out below and catch BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD at the Angelikas Dallas and Plano – Now Playing.

Beasts of the Southern Wild Interview with Director Benh Zeitlin from Angelika Film Center on Vimeo.

Beasts of the Southern Wild Interview with Actors Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry from Angelika Film Center on Vimeo.