While you might not know the name Hanan Townshend, the fast-rising composer is truly on the cusp of recognition by cinephiles. Later this year, you’ll be able to hear his work as composer on Terrence Malick‘s “To The Wonder,” and as fans of the filmmaker may already know, Townshend also contributed to the soundtrack of “The Tree Of Life.” And starting this weekend in Austin, Texas you’ll be able to hear even more of his skilled work as he has provided the score to one of our 10 Films To See At SXSW Film Festival 2013 — Geoff Marslett‘s “Loves Her Gun.”
Starring Trieste Kelly Dunn, the drama follows a woman who moves from New York to Austin to feel safer after she’s attacked, and gets involved in Texas gun culture. It’s potent stuff, with a potential powderkeg of themes given some of the headlines we’ve seen in recent months, but Townshend’s work is beautifully understated. This four-minute selection, featuring clips of three cuts from the score, is lovely, melancholy stuff but there’s a hint of tension and unease as we get to the close of the preview. It’s a pretty great sampler not only for Townshend, but also for the film, suggesting the variety of narrative notes that Marslett will be working with.
“Loves Her Gun” has its first screening on Saturday March 9th at the Violet Crown. “To The Wonder” opens in theaters on April 12th. Listen below.