By Liz Lopez
Rating: B
Drafthouse Films, The Keeping Room, directed by Daniel Barber, was one of the Opening Night Films at Fantastic Fest on Thursday, September 24th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin. Brit Marling was in attendance for The Keeping Room screening, as well as writer Julia Hart for the Austin premiere. They walked the red carpet and also participated in a Q&A with the audience. This western set during the end of the Civil War, has a focus on how three women manage to survive on their land during the hardest time with no others to help and they face grave dangers.
The performances by Marling, Hailee Steinfeld and Muna Otaru are very good, especially so when they have to defend themselves from two men who travel the countryside killing everyone in their path. Sam Worthington stars as one of the Yankees with no regard for women or anyone in general. His who world is focused on the blonde who suddenly appears at the general store where they have taken over. The two sisters and their former slave take arms to take care of their property and themselves and there are very tense moments in the film.
It is a good western and shows a different side of the Civil War from the common community that once had a good life but is tragically taken from so many.
It is rated R for so much violence, including the rape scene and language during the 94 minute film.
The Keeping Room will now open in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on October 2nd.