Director Dylan Southern Discusses Benedict Cumberbatch’s Role in New Film

Writer-director Dylan Southern has premiered his film The Thing With Feathers at the 69th BFI London Film Festival following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a grieving father struggling to cope with the sudden loss of his wife, alongside child actors Richard and Henry Boxall, who portray his two sons. Adapted from Max Porter‘s award-winning book, “Grief Is the Thing With Feathers,” the narrative explores the emotional journey of a family navigating grief with the help of a mystical crow.

The story begins with the death of a mother, leaving her husband—referred to as “Sad Dad”—and their two young children to navigate their overwhelming loss. As the narrative unfolds, the crow emerges from the father’s writings, serving as a guide through their grief. Southern, best known for his work on music documentaries such as Meet Me in the Bathroom and Shut Up and Play the Hits, took a bold step into narrative filmmaking with this project.

Southern’s Passion for the Project

Recalling the origin of the film, Southern shared, “I optioned the book on my own. I did everything you’re not meant to as a filmmaker. I spent my own money. And I was sort of in the hole.” His dedication to the material was evident, as he continued to push for the project despite financial challenges.

Upon learning that Cumberbatch was a fan of the original book, Southern took a chance and sent him the script, expecting a long wait for a response. To his surprise, SunnyMarch, Cumberbatch’s production company, reached out within two weeks, expressing the actor’s interest in meeting. “I was never expecting to get an actor of his stature in the film,” Southern admitted, noting the nerves he felt before their meeting. However, he found common ground quickly, stating, “He was such a great collaborator.”

Their creative partnership blossomed through extensive discussions about the character’s depth and emotional landscape. Southern noted the importance of their relationship, saying, “By the time we got there, our working relationship was established.” The film’s production was swift, with Southern humorously recalling how he became so enthralled by Cumberbatch’s performance that he forgot to call “cut” during filming.

Future Plans and New Projects

As Southern reflects on his transition from documentaries to features, he shared that he had no intention of returning to music documentaries until a project involving the band Oasis came to him. “The ask came from Oasis, if I and my directing partner would cover their reunion,” he quipped, indicating a return to familiar territory.

Southern is also in the process of writing another feature film, describing it as a significant departure from The Thing With Feathers. “It’s flexing a different muscle,” he explained. Whereas his current film focuses on emotional arcs with less plot, his next project will be a character-driven thriller set in London.

Despite past challenges, including a previous project that fell apart after years of development, Southern remains optimistic about the future. “That’s where I learned you have to have really thick skin,” he stated, underscoring the resilience required in the film industry. As The Thing With Feathers continues to gain attention, audiences can look forward to Southern’s evolving body of work.