Hype and the nature of the "Beasts"

Recently, my Aunt has been recommending a certain movie to anyone who will listen. The lifelong resident of Louisiana was endorsing none other than the indie breakout hit "Beasts of the Southern Wild". Though she had yet to see the movie herself, she knew it was set in Louisiana and that it was getting some major awards from some major film festivals. Someone failed to mention to my dear Aunt that I was actually in France at that very moment, watching "Beasts" premiere at the Cannes Film Festival with an introduction by the director. The film culminated in a standing ovation lasting five minutes. Still, I left the theater feeling like there was a bit more to be desired. I was suffering from the same affliction my aunt had just caught and was spreading around to anyone who would listen; Hype.

Most of the festival goers in Cannes had heard of the glorious reception "Beasts" received at Sundance. It was at the top of the list of must-see movies for me and my fellow students. The film tells the story of Hushpuppy, a young  girl living in a remote and impoverished community outside the levee system in southern Louisiana. A simple story, it has a "Precious" like impact when viewers see just how poor they really are. Hushpuppy's father looks after her, though their relationship leans toward abusive at times. When a hurricane comes, the folks of the "bathtub" refuse to leave their homes. They must stick together to survive the storm and the oppressive government who tries to rescue them from themselves. "Beasts" proves to be a well made film, one that weaves a heartfelt and delicate story. I probably would have liked it a lot, had it not been for The Hype. The Hype made me question why I did not express my undying love for the film. The Hype made me question my opinions. The Hype confused me. It was a blessing and a curse.

If there was one aspect of the film holding me back from really enjoying it, it was the reaction of the town to the flood. Having grown up in Louisiana, I knew what it was like to evacuate for a flood, driving contraflow on the highway. People that don't leave or choose to stay, even in mild cases, might not survive the storm. For the film to champion a group of people who stayed put with brazen abandon was to make light of a situation that shouldn't be made light of. They didn't stay because they had no where to go or no means of getting out, but because they lacked the education to know any better. This made my aunt's recommendation all the more ridiculous. It was recommending "Jersey Shore" to Italians, "Swamp People" to Cajuns.

All this I could have swallowed, had it not been for The Hype. Of course, I probably wouldn't have seen the movie had it not been for The Hype, and my aunt wouldn't be professing its talent to her book clubs and bunko nights. Cinema catch 22? Close enough.