Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired the US rights to the narrative feature film, The Thing With Feathers. Directed by Dylan Southern, the film is an adaptation of Max Porter’s acclaimed novella “Grief Is The Thing With Feathers.” Inspired by the true story of a grieving widowed husband and his struggle to raise his two little sons. Their lives have been upended with the unexpected death of their mother.
The movie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. It’s no wonder it captured that audience’s attention with its strong storytelling and emotional resonance. Following its win at Sundance, The Thing With Feathers flew into the spotlight at the Berlin International Film Festival for its international premiere. To many, this event confirmed its status as a modern masterpiece of cinema.
A Story of Grief and Resilience
The Thing With Feathers beautifully explores the complexities of grief and family relationships. Our tale is that of a passionate husband who desperately pursues the interests of his wife and children. At the same time, he grapples with his own profound sense of loss. Her sudden passing from cancer leaves a huge void for the family. Once they do, they find it difficult to fill, and sometimes go through heart-breaking scenes where they think about love and memory.
Dylan Southern’s direction brings depth to the screenplay, allowing audiences to connect with the characters’ emotional journeys. Yet despite this powerful national narrative, Dearborn’s film powerfully humanizes our family in crisis. This timely meditation on loss and resilience further connects with viewers inscribed within the ongoing pandemic moment.
Strong Production Team and Support
Andrea Cornwell of Lobo Films produced The Thing With Feathers. The film has a dream production team attached, including production partners Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland from SunnyMarch Productions. The movie enjoyed support from key players, including Film4 and the British Film Institute (BFI). Co-production partnerships with Align, Uncommon Creative Studio, mk2 Films, and Rank and File underscore the collaborative spirit of the project.
It’s this fierce creative community that’s made possible the collaboration to bring Porters’ powerful story to screen. The film’s production team, including artists, actors, and filmmakers, have worked tirelessly to preserve the spirit of the original story. They work hard to try to be more inviting and inclusive.
Upcoming Release and Distribution
Briarcliff Entertainment has USA-wide distribution plans for The Thing With Feathers and it will be released in theaters on October 31. With this October release date, it’s a refreshing and appealing alternative in the fall awards season lineup. It encourages everyone to explore its profound messages at a time of year that’s dedicated to reflection, remembrance and honoring those we’ve lost.
It’s a wonderful story telling aided immensely by the performances. Led by a veteran production team, it’s sure to make a profound impact for audiences who seek inspirational and faith-filled films. With its upcoming wide release, anticipation is high. We can’t wait to see how audiences will react to this beautiful story of grief and healing.