The Thing With Feathers

The Thing With Feathers: A Haunting Exploration of Grief

In the heart of profound sorrow, a father seeks to navigate the shattered remnants of his life. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays this tormented soul with searing intensity. Known simply as “Dad,” he grapples with a loss so devastating it has cast a melancholic pall over his world. His art, described by some as “comic books” and others as “graphic novels” – a term he finds overly pretentious – becomes a window into his tormented mind.

From the outset, the film’s opening credits, a whirlwind of restless charcoal strokes, foreshadow the emotional turmoil to come. Fragmented images are accompanied by stark words like “Sad Dad” and “She’s gone,” a stark reflection of the pain tearing him apart. The use of the claustrophobic intimacy of the Academy ratio amplifies this suffocating grief, making the viewer feel as trapped as “Dad” himself.

In the aftermath of an unseen funeral, we witness “Dad” quietly observing his two young sons, their unspoken pain hanging heavy in the air. “I thought you both did really well today,” he observes, acknowledging the truth they’re all struggling to face. The film masterfully utilizes visual cues to convey the weight of their loss, drawing parallels to the raw vulnerability exposed in Tracey Emin’s iconic work, “my Bed.”

Trying to hold onto normalcy, “Dad” clings to routines – sending his children to school, providing for their needs, even reading bedtime stories. Yet, a chilling undercurrent suggests these efforts are a fragile facade. Whispered snippets of conversations reveal the horrific event that shattered his world. “There was blood, she was on the floor, she wasn’t breathing,” he murmurs, a testament to the enduring agony of grief.

Adding to his torment, a menacing figure named Crow, voiced chillingly by David Thewlis, emerges from the depths of “Dad’s” mind. Crow represents his guilt and despair, taunting him relentlessly and fueling his inner turmoil. “Come on, do your worst,” pleads “Dad.” But Crow’s cruel laughter rings out, “No,” he taunts, “I intend to do my best.”

The film’s climax unfolds as a powerful and unsettling spectacle, choreographed to the haunting notes of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s “Feast of the Mau Mau.” This scene exposes the raw brutality of Crow’s assault on “Dad’s” psyche. Crow relentlessly skewers his vulnerabilities, mocking his liberal views, dismissing his artwork as “piss-poor,” and even comparing it to a Vettriano painting – an insult that cuts deeper than any physical blow.

“The Thing With Feathers” is a poignant and unflinching portrayal of grief’s devastating power. It lingers long after the credits roll, forcing us to confront our own mortality and the arduous journey of finding meaning amidst profound loss. Director Dylan Southern crafts a visually stunning and emotionally resonant work of art, making a powerful statement about the human capacity for both resilience and despair.

Grief and the Things We Create: An Interview with Dylan Southern about “The Thing With Feathers”

Dylan Southern’s new film, The Thing With Feathers, plunges viewers into the raw, visceral depths of grief. Inspired by Max Porter’s 2016 novel of the same name, Southern’s adaptation weaves a poignant tale of loss, memory, and the haunting presence of sorrow.
“Max Porter’s book immediately resonated with me,” Southern explains. “His poetic language and exploration of grief through a fantastical lens—a crow inhabiting the space of a grieving man—captivated me. I felt a powerful film waiting to be told.”

Visually, The Thing With Feathers is a masterclass in evocative storytelling. The film’s claustrophobic atmosphere, achieved through the use of the Academy ratio, mirrors the suffocating weight of grief. Haunting charcoal visuals, interspersed with melancholic dialog, establish a tone of profound sorrow from the very beginning.”I wanted the film to feel claustrophobic, intimate, and almost suffocating at times, mirroring the experience of intense grief,” Southern reveals. “The Academy ratio helped achieve this,framing Dad’s world in a way that feels constricted and inescapable.”

Benedict cumberbatch delivers a stunning performance as “Dad,” capturing the quiet, internal turmoil of a man grappling with profound loss. Southern meticulously crafted the role, seeking an actor capable of conveying nuance and subtlety. “Benedict is a phenomenal actor with a remarkable ability to convey emotion through subtlety and nuance, which was exactly what I needed for this role,” Southern shares. “Dad’s grief manifests in quiet, internal ways, and Benedict perfectly captured that fragility and vulnerability. He fully immersed himself in the character, working closely with me to explore the emotional depths of the script.”

David thewlis lends his voice to Crow, the embodiment of Dad’s guilt and despair. crow, a chilling yet insightful presence, serves as a manifestation of Dad’s inner turmoil. “Crow embodies the destructive nature of unaddressed grief,” Southern explains. “David Thewlis’s voice brings a chilling,almost hypnotic quality to Crow,making him a truly menacing presence. Crow is a manifestation of Dad’s inner turmoil, taunting him, feeding his doubts, and luring him towards self-destruction.”

Through the lens of fantasy, The Thing With feathers offers a profound exploration of grief’s psychological impact. Crow, as a symbol of Dad’s internal struggles, highlights the destructive nature of unprocessed emotions.Southern’s masterful direction, coupled with powerful performances, creates a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Exploring the Depths of Grief: A Conversation with Dylan Southern

Dylan Southern’s latest film, “The Thing with Feathers,” isn’t just a story; it’s an intimate exploration of human vulnerability and the raw, unfiltered emotions that come with grief. This powerful documentary, which delves into the filmmaker’s personal journey of navigating loss, is sure to resonate deeply with audiences who have experienced the pain of saying goodbye to a loved one.

In a recent conversation, Southern spoke about the worldwide nature of grief and the film’s message of resilience and hope.”I hope this film encourages viewers to engage with the complexities of grief, to acknowledge the pain and the anger, but also the resilience of the human spirit,” he shared.

Southern believes that grief is a journey that we all must undertake at some point in our lives. “It’s a film that explores the darker corners of our emotions but also offers a glimmer of hope – a reminder that even in the midst of profound loss, there is still beauty to be found and life to be lived,” he added.

“The Thing with Feathers” isn’t just a film about loss; it’s a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always light to be found.

How does “The Thing With Feathers” challenge societal expectations around positivity in the face of grief?

Grief and the things We Create: An Interview with Dylan Southern about “The Thing With Feathers”

Dylan southerns new film, The Thing With Feathers, plunges viewers into the raw, visceral depths of grief. Inspired by Max Porter’s 2016 novel of the same name, Southern’s adaptation weaves a poignant tale of loss, memory, and the haunting presence of sorrow.

“Max Porter’s book immediately resonated with me,” Southern explains. “His poetic language and exploration of grief through a fantastical lens—a crow inhabiting the space of a grieving man—captivated me. I felt a powerful film waiting to be told.”

Visually, The Thing With Feathers is a masterclass in evocative storytelling. The film’s claustrophobic atmosphere, achieved through the use of the Academy ratio, mirrors the suffocating weight of grief. Haunting charcoal visuals, interspersed with melancholic dialog, establish a tone of profound sorrow from the very beginning.”I wanted the film to feel claustrophobic, intimate, and almost suffocating at times, mirroring the experience of intense grief,” Southern reveals. “The Academy ratio helped achieve this,framing Dad’s world in a way that feels constricted and inescapable.”

benedict Cumberbatch delivers a stunning performance as “Dad,” capturing the quiet,internal turmoil of a man grappling with profound loss. Southern meticulously crafted the role,seeking an actor capable of conveying nuance and subtlety. “Benedict is a phenomenal actor with a remarkable ability to convey emotion through subtlety and nuance, which was exactly what I needed for this role,” Southern shares. “Dad’s grief manifests in quiet, internal ways, and Benedict perfectly captured that fragility and vulnerability. He fully immersed himself in the character, working closely with me to explore the emotional depths of the script.”

david Thewlis lends his voice to Crow, the embodiment of Dad’s guilt and despair. crow, a chilling yet insightful presence, serves as a manifestation of Dad’s inner turmoil. “Crow embodies the destructive nature of unaddressed grief,” Southern explains. “David Thewlis’s voice brings a chilling,almost hypnotic quality to Crow,making him a truly menacing presence. crow is a manifestation of Dad’s inner turmoil, taunting him, feeding his doubts, and luring him towards self-destruction.”

through the lens of fantasy, The Thing With Feathers offers a profound exploration of grief’s psychological impact. Crow, as a symbol of Dad’s internal struggles, highlights the destructive nature of unprocessed emotions.Southern’s masterful direction, coupled with powerful performances, creates a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

“The Thing with feathers” certainly explores complex emotions. In a world that often pushes towards positivity, what message do you hope viewers will take away from this film?