The horror movie world is overstuffed with cheap scare flicks, and low budget toss-offs, which makes it all the more remarkable when someone can deliver a movie in the genre with genuine thrills, coupled with a distinctive creative voice. And that’s just what Jennifer Kent did with “The Babadook,” her breakout film that marked the filmmaker as one to watch, and a major female talent in an industry that still doesn’t do enough to create opportunities for women. And so, it was only a matter of time before she started being named for big time projects.
While the internet blew up last night with the news that Brie Larson could be suiting up to play “Captain Marvel,” buried in a story from THR was the nugget that Niki Caro (“Whale Rider,” “McFarland,” the upcoming “The Zookeeper’s Wife” starring Jessica Chastain) and Jennifer Kent are contenders to direct the superhero movie. However, I wouldn’t hold your breath on Kent signing up, because as she reveals in a new interview with The Guardian, blockbusters aren’t really her bag.
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“It’s funny, when I hear people crying about, ‘Oh, female directors are never offered these big tentpole films … what about Jennifer Kent? She’s not doing anything!,’ I sort of read it and chuckle because, well, you have no idea what’s going on at my end – what I’m actually saying no to,” she said.
So, what is she up to? Well, the filmmaker is at work on her next picture, “The Nightingale.” Set in 1829 on the island of Tasmania, the story follows the 21 year-old Claire, on a quest for revenge, who teams with Billy, an indigenous tracker, to help her find a British soldier who committed an act of violence against her family.
“It was seen as hell-on-earth at the time,” Kent said about the milieu of the story, particularly for women. “It’s certainly not a horror film, but it’s a pretty horrific world.”
Even more, Kent’s approach to the violence in the movie is apparently already making financiers nervous, but the filmmaker is committed to making every moment as real as possible. “They’re going into the centre of hell, and going out the other side,” the director said of the characters.
We can’t wait, and right now the plan is for “The Nightingale” to be ready for release in 2017. Maybe after that, Kent will want to scratch the blockbuster itch? Maybe, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Especially if she keeps getting to tell kind of unique stories she’s eager to share.
