Daisy Edgar-Jones (“The Wild Girl”): “We need more stories of empowered women in film”

From the deepest swamps of the North Carolina swamps comes “The Wild Girl”, a film adaptation of Delia Owens’ best-seller which will be released in theaters on September 30th. An impossible love in the 60s, a mysterious murder and the desire for emancipation of a young woman in a city full of prejudices are configured this proposal that tries to bring the audience back to theaters with an intimate story. “It is important that there are films like this, with powerful female protagonists and stories created by women who reach the commercial theaters”defends Olivia Newman, director of the film.

The story tells how in a small town in North Carolina, Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones), the youngest daughter of a typical Southern family, is abandoned by the rest of her family.; first by her mother and her brothers, who escaped from the clutches of an alcoholic and violent husband and father, and finally by her father, who disappeared without a trace. The girl will grow up alone to become a young woman who will learn to take care of herself, in the family hut which is located in the middle of the forest, near the swamps and their swamps.where, according to the mother of the protagonist, the shrimp could sing.

A story that touches different genres, being a drama on the emancipation of a protagonist in a deep city in the United States in the late 1960s; as well as a mysterious and intriguing film, when he commits a crime in which the young woman may be involved; just like a romantic melodrama that tells the love triangle who lives Kya. “I’ve never seen a character like hers. I think audiences crave this kind of film. There are so many genres, it has mystery, crime, epic romance. It has a certain air of timeless storytelling.”, defends Olivia Newman in an interview with eCartelera.

Among all the genres that the film has, what stands out is, above all, a story of “female empowerment”. “It’s a story about a woman’s inner strength and it’s also a character study. I think it has an epic nature that stems not only from telling the environment a mysterious, passionate love story or love song, but because it’s a film that the public can get in touch with. It’s seeing the life of a girl who grows up as a woman and survives adversity alone. “stick up for Daisy Edgar-Jones, who admits she has to “tune your ear” to transform her natural British accent into that of a young South American girl.

The intimate story claims its place on the big screen

Newman says it’s not just blockbusters premiering in theaters and more audiences looking for more intimate stories far from visual effects also have their place on the big screen. “One of the most beautiful parts of the original novel is the description of the landscapes, which are the only world that Kya knows. For me, this story had to be told thinking about a release in theaters, where we can fully enjoy the beauty of the swamp, swamps, to have a completely immersive experience. I appreciate that Sony always thought that its release would be for the big screen. “says the director.

Add to this that ‘The Wild Girl’ is a project directed, written and produced by women, who adapt a book that is also written by a woman. “It was an effort by the producers, they made it possible. It reflects the spirit Reese Witherspoon has with her company, Hello Sunshine; also that of Elizabeth Gabler, of 3000 Pictures. They read the book and were determined to make it into a movies, they saw in Kya a character whose story was worthy of the big screen. It is important that these incredible and powerful women believed in this project and believed there was an audience for it. “defends the director.

“It was nice to be in an environment of emancipated women. There is a different energy when we are the women who are on stage. Synergies and awareness are produced that lead to an authentic artistic experience. This happens when women are the ones who make our decisions, support each other and feel our strength “adds Michael Hyatt, who plays Mable Madison, one of the protagonist’s few adult references during her childhood.

Directed by Olivia Newman and written by Lucy Alibar, ‘The Wild Girl’ adapts the novel of the same name by Delia Owens. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson, the cast is rounded out by Michael Hyatt, Sterling Macer Jr. and David Strathairn. Available in cinemas this September 30, from Sony Pictures Spain.