The Marsh King's Daughter: Director's Realistic Approach May Divide Book Fans

Article Summary

The Marsh King's Daughter is a gripping thriller that explores the haunting impact of the past on the present and delves into the complexities of personal transformation.

Director Neil Burger was attracted to the film due to its central themes and emphasis on the natural world. Despite the challenges posed by adapting a best-selling novel, Burger strived to capture the essence of the story while infusing it with his unique artistic expression, even risking potential criticism from fans of the book.

In The Marsh King's Daughter, Daisy Ridley plays the role of Helena Pelletier, who is a wife, mother, and the daughter of a notorious criminal mastermind known as the Marsh King (portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn). Despite having escaped from her abusive father years ago and creating a new life for herself, Helena's peace is shattered when the Marsh King escapes from prison and becomes determined to possess her. In order to protect everything she holds dear, Helena must confront her past, regardless of the danger it poses.

Based on Karen Dionne's bestselling novel, the movie explores the theme of the past returning to haunt the present. Director Burger was particularly drawn to this aspect of the story, as well as the opportunity to showcase nature as a prominent element, almost like a character itself. Despite differing opinions, Burger was committed to capturing the visual themes of the movie by filming in challenging and remote locations. The cast and crew, including Ridley, Mendelsohn, Brooklynn Prince, and Garrett Hedlund, were willing to embrace these difficulties, with the exception of lacking dressing rooms and bathrooms.

Burger touches on various aspects during the interview, which can be viewed in the video above or read in the accompanying transcript. Among the topics discussed are the challenges encountered when adapting a popular novel, the necessity for movies to deviate from the original narrative at times, and the intricacies of the editing process. Additionally, Burger delves into deleted scenes and how test screenings played a crucial role in striking a balance between character development and suspense in his latest film, Inheritance, featuring Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor. Discover more about these insights and more in the complete interview.

Release Date: November 3, 2023

Director: Neil Burger

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 minutes

Main Genre: Drama

On our website, what would be your top recommendation for someone who hasn't seen any of your previous works? Please share the title and your reason for choosing it as their first watch.

NEIL BURGER: Hmm, that's a great question. The movies that truly represent my work are The Illusionist and Limitless. So, perhaps I would choose Limitless. However, it really depends on the individuals. There are devoted fans of Limitless, just as there are avid supporters of The Illusionist. On another note, I would also like to mention my first film, Interview with The Assassin. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. This movie reflects my identity as a filmmaker, showcasing the innovative techniques employed, the risks taken, and the unique storytelling approach. I realize I haven't fully answered your question, but I suppose, yes, maybe Limitless.

Why 'Voyagers' Was a Difficult Exploration

Which of your films changed the most in the editing room in ways you didn't expect?

BURGER: Honestly, there wasn't much change in the other films. However, Voyagers was the one that presented some challenges, particularly with producers and other aspects. So, I would say that it went through the most changes. Nonetheless, I am still proud of the film and the cast. It went through some repositioning. In fact, that film went through the most changes.

Without dwelling on it too much, did the changes in Voyagers occur because there was a desire for you to prioritize other elements or were you attempting to meet a specific rating requirement?

BURGER: Partly, we aimed for a lower rating. We questioned why we were given an R rating for a film with a significant number of young people. To appeal to this demographic, we made some changes. Additionally, the original script showcased a concept of exploration during the voyage, which proved challenging for some individuals to comprehend. They preferred a storyline where the planet is dying and we have to flee. However, we questioned the relevance of that story, as it has been told before. We simply wanted to be in space. Perhaps that is why there was a need to over-explain. I didn't meet all the expectations, but I believe any additional explanations were excessive.

Furthermore, I find it interesting that minimal explanation can be more effective, as people's imagination is always more powerful.

BURGER: When you bring your movie to preview screenings, some people express confusion, stating that they were not informed about the reasons for the characters leaving. They believe it is necessary to provide an explanation because they mentioned it. However, I don't necessarily agree with that. Just because they have a question doesn't always mean that we need to answer it, you know? Personally, I believe there might be a distinction between producers and artists, but that's just my thought.

BURGER: The distinction between confusion, ambiguity, and plot holes should not be overlooked. These concepts are often wrongly grouped together. Sometimes, it is acceptable for certain aspects to be left unaddressed or deliberately withheld. Regardless, it is important to acknowledge their separate nature.

Image via Lionsgate

I completely agree. So, let's talk about why this story compelled me to make it.

BURGER: Well, I had been searching for a film set in nature, where the wilderness and the natural world play a prominent role. This story fit that criteria perfectly. Additionally, I was drawn to the narrative of a woman grappling with a haunting past, where the person she cherished the most turns out to be a monster. It raised the question: how does one navigate such a revelation? In her case, she chose to bury her pain and never confront it again. Does this approach actually work? Perhaps it does for her, until everything unravels. I found it intriguing to explore whether individuals, including this woman, can break free from childhood trauma and reshape themselves. Can we change who we are and become the person we aspire to be?

Do you expect to encounter criticism when adapting a popular book into a movie due to the inevitable deviations from the original content?

I'm curious, what is your mindset when creating something like this? Do you accept that there will be people who may not enjoy it?

BURGER: I never fully accept that, but I understand that it is a risk. From the very beginning, readers have their own ideas of what the actors look like and how the scene unfolds. I try to comprehend and acknowledge that. I also have my own visions, which serve as a foundation for my work. I hope that by honestly exploring these characters, the end result may not align exactly with what you imagined, but it will capture the essence of the original. Look, a movie is a different art form, with different requirements and narrative challenges, so it is bound to be different. There will always be some people who aren't satisfied, but hopefully they are few in number. My goal is to create something as expressive, captivating, and substantial as the original, if not more so, so that viewers can fully engage with what is presented to them.

Image via Lionsgate

Why 'The Marsh King's Daughter' Filmed in the Wilderness

So you filmed this movie in just 37 days, which was already a very tight schedule. However, you decided to take it a step further by choosing to shoot in incredibly remote locations that were completely off the beaten path. At what point during the shooting process did you find yourself thinking, "What on earth was I thinking?"

BURGER: Well, I must admit, with my experience and age, I was well aware of what I was getting myself into. When you're shooting in the wilderness, you know where most people prefer to shoot? They opt for locations like ski resorts, where there's a convenient parking lot right next to some wooded areas. However, I wanted to find forests and wilderness that exuded a sense of pristine beauty and even ancient mystique. I wanted locations that had never been disturbed by human interference, completely untouched. I believed that this was crucial thematically and that visually, we needed to accurately portray this notion.

We successfully located the remote areas as you mentioned. Despite the challenges, I believe it was worthwhile. The conditions were harsh, and we had to undertake extraordinary measures. In certain isolated spots, our equipment had to be airlifted by helicopter. Due to the limited space, the helicopters couldn't land directly; instead, they had to lower the equipment on a cable with a cargo net onto a narrow rocky river bank. The situation was arduous, and our dedicated crew worked tirelessly. I am grateful for their hard work and unity, as they were able to accomplish the task. The cast also had to hike to various locations without any amenities, dressing rooms, or even toilets in certain cases. It was a challenging environment that we had to adapt to.

Unfortunately, the schedule ended up being prolonged. Additionally, due to circumstances like the ongoing COVID situation, financial constraints arose, leading to the need for budget cuts and reduction in shooting days. As a filmmaker, these conditions required us to be flexible and nimble. We had to quickly adjust our plans and find creative, simpler approaches to capture the desired shots. Surprisingly, this often resulted in more fascinating outcomes.

All the filmmakers I've talked to agree that facing the challenges in movie-making can sometimes enhance the quality of your film as it compels you to find innovative solutions to overcome them.

[Laughs] Exactly.

BURGER: So either option is on the table.

The early screenings of the film, when shown to friends and family, provide valuable insights for the editing process. What lessons have you learned from these screenings that have influenced the final version of the film?

BURGER: We've discovered valuable insights about the suspense and thriller elements, specifically regarding audience engagement. The fascinating aspect of this movie is that it aims to be a thriller while delving deep into the exploration of a particular character. Her emotional journey, life, interactions with others - all contribute significantly...In my opinion, the most captivating thrillers are the ones where viewers feel a strong connection with the characters. The better we understand the character, the more invested we become, intensifying the thrill, suspense, or fear. Hence, we had to find the right balance. How much character development could be omitted without compromising our objective? How much was necessary? These were the questions we navigated.

Were there numerous scenes that had to be deleted?

BURGER: We did, actually. We did, yeah.

Is it like 10 minutes or more like 25?

BURGER: The scenes are not very long, around 10 minutes. Most of it is at the beginning, focusing on their childhood. I found their interactions and experiences during that time incredibly rich. We actually had to cut out some things to keep the story moving and introduce Daisy's character earlier.

I get it. The moments with Brooklynn and Ben were so captivating that it feels like you want to explore them further.

BURGER: You do, but then there's a whole other story to tell.

Image via Netflix

What Is Neil Burger's 'Inheritance' With Phoebe Dynevor?

I have to ask you because I'm running out of time, what are you thinking about doing next? Do you know what you're doing?

BURGER: I've already shot another movie. It's called Inheritance, actually. It's with Phoebe Dynevor. Do you know Phoebe?

I do.

BURGER: Phoebe's performance in Bridgerton was truly exceptional. This captivating movie takes viewers on a whirlwind journey around the globe, spanning from New York to Cairo, Delhi to Seoul, and ultimately returning to New York. I had the incredible opportunity to experience this adventure firsthand, and it was absolutely incredible.

Interestingly enough, I couldn't help but chuckle when I found myself browsing your Instagram last night and stumbling upon these mesmerizing pictures. I couldn't help but wonder, "What led you to visit all these amazing places?"

BURGER: We kept it under wraps. The movie is currently being sold. It has already been completed but we made the decision to keep it a secret during the production process, which we successfully did. You are among the first individuals, outside of my close circle of friends, to whom I am sharing this information publicly. I'm not entirely certain why I chose to do so, but I did.

The reason behind my disclosure is because I am a fan, and you are aware of it. Therefore, I would like to inquire, without putting you in any trouble, if you are able to share any details about the movie's plot, or if that information is intentionally being kept unknown.

BURGER: It's an international thriller. That's what I'll say.

Got it. Are you selling it at AFM?

BURGER: No, we were in Toronto. We were essentially located in the market area of Toronto.

I completely understand what you mean. I know of others who were selling films at Toronto without publicly announcing their presence.

BURGER: That's right. The deal-making is, like, taking forever, but it's moving.

So basically, I get to see it next year.

BURGER: That's correct.

The Marsh King's Daughter is in theaters now.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan, I am thrilled to share my opinions and feelings about the upcoming film, "The Marsh King's Daughter," directed by Neil Burger. Firstly, I appreciate the director's realistic approach in adapting a best-selling novel into a gripping thriller. It is evident that Burger has carefully considered the essence of the story while infusing his unique artistic expression, even at the risk of facing criticism from fans of the book. This demonstrates his dedication to creating a compelling cinematic experience that stays true to the spirit of the original work while also offering a fresh perspective.

Burger's emphasis on the natural world as a prominent character in the film is another aspect that excites me. Nature plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere and mood of the story, and I believe Burger's decision to film in challenging and remote locations will enhance the immersive experience for the audience. The cast, including Daisy Ridley, Ben Mendelsohn, Brooklynn Prince, and Garrett Hedlund, is also exceptional, and their willingness to embrace the difficulties of filming in such environments speaks to their commitment to the project.