HOUNDDOG Leads Pack at Sundance 2007
BY CYNDI GREENING, PARK CITY, USA — We saw the dramatic competition film, HOUNDDOG, this afternoon and I really loved it. It was a tough film. The heart of the film is Dakota Fanning. She plays Lewellen, a poor southern girl, growing up in a swamp. She has an abusive father, a deceased mother, a bible-thumping, whiskey drinking grandmother and several bad pals. From the title, you can probably guess that she loves music and, in particular, the music of Elvis Presley.
Writer/Director Deborah Kempmeier was on hand to introduce her film and some of her crew. The film was beautifully shot by Ed Lachman (although there were times when I wanted the colors to be darker, moodier, less lush). Kempmeier thanked the audience for coming to see the film and make their own assessment of the content. (Earlier this morning, I read in my complimentary copy of USA TODAY the rather uncomplimentary controversy arising around Fanning's sexual assault in this film.) Having seen the film, I am disappointed with the grief they're getting. It was really done well AND the point of the film is clearly disgust, disdain and despair for the burden carried by women of poverty. The film shows the many ways that dreams can be destroyed and how one must reclaim that which is special about oneself in order live a fulfilled, joyful life. In addition to Dakota Fanning, the film features the absolutely amazing Robin Wright Penn as a woman whose life is far more intertwined in Lewellen's than initially assumed.
Looking at the publicity stills for the film, it appears that the film was well funded. The film had a budget of $3.5 million and it shows on the screen. The film had a relatively small cast. The narrative thread meandered a bit, sort of like the snakes that populated the film. It coiled around itself at times and thrust itself aggressively forward at other times. In the end, the film (like the character) was able to take all of the poison and transform it into something personal and powerful. HOUNDDOG is one of my favorite films of Sundance 2007!