For their next film project, Ethan Hawke and his daughter Maya Hawke are collaborating.
Oscilloscope Laboratories gave PEOPLE exclusive access to the ‘Wildcat’ trailer on Wednesday. Ethan is the director of the film, in which Maya plays Flannery O’Connor, a writer from the 20th century. The book ‘Wildcat’ explores O’Connor’s life in the 1950s as she writes her first book, ‘Wise Blood,’ and deals with receiving a lupus diagnosis at the age of 24.
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Shelby Gaines and Ethan, who is a writer himself, worked together on the script. This is Maya’s first credit as an executive producer, which expands her acting resume. She is most known for her work in ‘Stranger Things.’
The teaser provides an insight into O’Connor’s rich imagination, her devout Catholic faith, and her complicated bond with her mother, played by Laura Linney, who fights deteriorating health to focus on her writing endeavours.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Ethan Hawke discussed the movie and expressed his respect for Maya’s creative abilities, calling her a powerful figure in the business. He emphasised Maya’s natural artistic inclination by showcasing her many talents, which include acting, painting, and music.
The reason behind Ethan and Maya’s working together on ‘Wildcat’ was Maya’s wish to delve into the complex path of a young woman negotiating her relationship with herself and her career—a story that is frequently ignored in movies. Ethan related to O’Connor’s story because he thought it was a powerful depiction of a difficult but important person who should be seen on screen.
For Ethan and Maya, creating a film was an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to storytelling, not just a creative endeavour. Their objective was to provide viewers with an engaging story that goes beyond the confines of the screen.
‘Wildcat’ honours Flannery O’Connor’s lasting influence and provides an insight into the intriguing life of a pious but quirky literary legend. After having a great premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in the fall of last year, the movie is scheduled to open in theatres on 3rd May.
– Farheen Ali