Telluride 50: “Wildcat”

Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Ethan Hawke, “Wildcat” is an engrossing view of the unconventionally frank Southern writer Flannery O’Connor. Ethan’s daughter Maya Hawke and Laura Linney give superlative performances as O’Connor and her mother Regina.

At an outdoor panel, Ethan Hawke said that the genesis for the film was when Maya wanted to prepare a monologue for audition to Julliard and adapted Flannery O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal.”  He added that since he has been acting since 14, all he knows is the arts.

Ethan Hawke, right, with Alexander Payne (“The Holdovers”), left,  at Telluride outdoor panel (c) Ed Scheid

Before the film, Maya said she had her family making “Wildcat.” Ethan added that the film was “inside of us.”

“Wildcat” begins in 1950 New York City as Flannery O’Connor visits an editor to show current work on her novel “Wise Blood”. The editor says she writes like she wants to stick pins in her readers. When he suggests she soften her Southern Gothic style, she remains strong-willed.

Her Catholic religious beliefs remain a  crucual part of O’Connor’s life. Her prayers are voice-overs. She remains an uncompromising writer not afraid of expressing unsettling ideas. She can also be abrasive.

Maya Hawke in “Wildcat”

Maya Hawke is emotionally intense as the unflinching, complicated writer. She and Laura Linney give distinctive portrayals of characters in excerpts from O’Connor’s stories, effectively showing how her life was adapted into her writing. The stories depict a variety of mother/daughter relationships.

After the screening, Maya Hawke spoke of how Flannery O’Connor valued creativity and the importance of her religious beliefs. She added that she “really wanted to play” the writer and to dedicate her life “to people dedicated to the arts.”

Maya Hawke in “Wildcat”

Maya said that after securing the film rights to O’Connor’s life and works, she “found” the producers. Ethan replied “my wife and I.” He added that he had his “own spiritual life thru performing arts.”  He spoke of wanting “Wildcat” to “explore the intersection of thought and reality” to “create drama.”

Laura Linney said that by having the mother in scenes from O’Connor’s works, the film gives “many versions of Regina.” She added that as the daughter of a playwright, she knows about reinventing “reality into amazing stories” that convey a “personal philosophy.”

Laura Linney and Maya Hawke in “Wildcat”

Linney said Flannery O’Connor had a “ferocious connection to her own truth” that made others uncomfortable, leaving her “isolated” and “perpetually alone.” She spoke of O’Connor’s “bravery,” but that conditions were “not made for approval.” She added that Regina was a unique being for the South, a Catholic Yankee widow running her farm.  

Afterwards, I congratulated Maya Hawke and Laura Linney on their multiple performances in “Wildcat.”