Dylan Southern’s film, The Thing With Feathers, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, recently premiered at the 69th BFI London Film Festival after debuting at Sundance. The film is an adaptation of Max Porter‘s award-winning book, Grief Is the Thing With Feathers. It tells the poignant story of a father and his two young sons grappling with the loss of their wife and mother.
In this narrative, a character known as ‘Crow’ emerges to guide the family through their grief, embodying the complex emotions surrounding such a profound loss. Southern, primarily recognized for his music documentaries, has taken a significant leap into narrative filmmaking with this project. He expressed his determination to bring this story to life, stating, “I optioned the book on my own… I spent my own money. And I was sort of in the hole. But I believed in this book and the idea of this film so much that I just kept pushing it and pushing it.”
Southern’s persistence paid off when he learned that Cumberbatch was also a fan of the original book. He shared, “When I was told that Benedict was a huge fan of the book as well, I thought I’d take a punt. So, I sent him the script, expecting to wait six months for a polite ‘no.’” To his surprise, Cumberbatch’s production company, SunnyMarch, responded within two weeks, expressing the actor’s interest in meeting Southern.
The initial meeting alleviated Southern’s nerves, as he noted the collaborative spirit they quickly established. “He was such a great collaborator… We had so many long conversations about the character, weeks and months before we went on set,” he said. This rapport was crucial as they transitioned from planning to production. “I’d been thinking about this film for years… and then suddenly you have six weeks, and you have to make it,” Southern recalled with a laugh.
The creative process unfolded rapidly, with Southern admitting he was so captivated by Cumberbatch’s performance that he forgot to call “cut” during the first take. This experience marks a significant turning point for Southern, who is now considering his future direction in filmmaking.
While he initially intended to step away from music documentaries, Southern revealed that a new project related to the legendary band Oasis has brought him back to that genre. “The ask came from Oasis, if I and my directing partner would cover their reunion,” he quipped.
In addition to this documentary, Southern is also working on a new feature film, which he describes as a departure from the emotional arc found in The Thing With Feathers. He explained, “The next thing I’m doing is completely plot-driven with character. It’s a London-based thriller.” This upcoming project reflects a shift in focus, moving from the emotional journey of grief to a narrative filled with suspense and action.
As Southern continues to navigate his filmmaking career, his experience with The Thing With Feathers has equipped him with valuable lessons. “I wrote another film, an original film, and worked on that for five years and got to the point where we were casting and location scouting. But then the whole thing fell apart,” he said. This setback taught him the importance of resilience in the industry, a lesson he carries into his future projects.
With a narrative feature now under his belt, audiences can anticipate Southern’s next moves as he blends his documentary roots with dramatic storytelling.
