Fox Searchlight have released two new trailers for Sean Durkin's breakout indie thriller which took Sundance by storm, Martha Marcy May Marlene. This is Durkin's first effort both writing & helming his first feature. The film stars Elizabeth Olsen as Martha a damaged young woman who is seduced by then escapes from a cult headed by a charismatic John Hawkes, Martha then struggles to re-assimilate into normal society. Earning incredible praise at Sundance earlier this year, the film played Cannes in May and heads to TIFF next month. Olsen's [the younger sister of known 'Olsen twins' Mary-Kate & Ashley] portrayal is already being held in the same regard as Jennifer Lawrence's star making performance in Winter's Bone. The films official site has also launched here. The film hits theaters on October 21st. Hit the jump to check out the trailer.
Synopsis: "Martha Marcy May Marlene glides through memories as if they were raindrops evaporating before they hit the ground. [Sean] Durkin merges crucial flashbacks with Martha’s current attempts to reconcile her past traumas in a “normal” setting. The process becomes constricting and fruitless, finally made impossible by Lucy’s inability to break through Martha’s psychological walls. But the film isn’t about redemption or religious awareness, but the overwhelming reach of manipulation. There isn’t one scene that doesn’t feel seeped in dread, and the devil’s footprints are evident on every charming folk song or promise of love. Durkin and the very talented cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes establish singular and wrenching moments instead of full on set pieces. The details of a facial expression, the sudden explosion of violence, and the consistency of audio tones are all parts of Patrick’s platform of control. The slow camera movements bare equally measured zooms, closing in on characters until the lull of ambient noise drowns out all indicators of life on the screen. Like Gerardo Naranjo’s equally impressive Miss Bala, Martha Marcy May Marlene is about the domination of female perception. Since Martha herself is still trying to work through what might be nightmare or reality, it’s difficult to understand how pervasive Patrick’s impact has been on her until the final moments of the film. When the story’s long-gestating simmer finally comes to a boil, Durkin holds on his heroine’s face one last time, leaving the viewer with a stone-cold snapshot of pure horror. There will be shivers."
You can see the new trailer by clicking on the players. Video courtesy of FirstShowing.
