Beasts of the Southern Winds

Director: Benh Zeitlin
Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Gina Montana, and Philip Lawrence
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Running time: 93 mins.
Rating:★★★★

Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), the tenacious six-year old force of nature in an isolated bayou community. When her tough but loving father, Wink (Dwight Henry) succumbs to a mysterious malady, the fierce and determined girl bravely sets out on a journey to save him. But Hushpuppy's quest is hindered by a "busted" universe that melts the ice caps and unleashed an army of prehistoric beasts. Learning the ways of courage and love.


A girl, who is a force to be reckoned with, knowledge-sneaker, and survivor living in a ratty, free, and tightly knitted community that couldn't be happier. Even the animals are given the freedom to roam. Separated from, what a lot of us would think, are necessities: television, internet, phones, supermarkets, and other material things. Hearing from her father, hot-tempered and loving, that the world outside of the community have and need these things, seems outside her comprehension. Nature, her father, community, and her imagination is all she needs. A very much return to a hunter-gatherer society. Then you have her teacher, Miss Bathsheba (Gina Montana) giving an abrasive lesson of the circle of nature and the release of prehistoric creatures called "Aurochs" from the melting ice caps. 

Wallis's performance is amazing to watch. She brings a sort of playful, questioning the status quo, and matter-of-fact attitude to her character inviting you to come along with her on her journey, re-releashing your own child-like imagination and curiosity. Whether the storm was real or psychological: perseverance, courage, and love will help guide her through it. A great lesson to remember.

The earthy blues/greens mixed in with the vibrant reds/oranges and the unsteady camera movement makes you feel like you're right along with Hushpuppy, that you are a part of her world. Wallace's voice over provides a dynamic background of where her mother's at and how she came to live in this community. The movie is simply magical!!