A new biopic, starring Maya Hawke, sheds more light on the short but impressive life of the American writer
The film American Fiction opens in a university classroom with Monk, played by Jeffrey Wright, teaching the literature of the American south. On a whiteboard is written “Flannery O’Connor” and the title of one of her short stories. A title that contains the N-word. When a white student objects, Monk, who is Black, tells her: “With all due respect, Brittany, I got over it, I’m pretty sure you can too.” The student walks out in tears.
American Fiction leaves it there but anyone provoked to learn more about O’Connor is in luck. Wildcat, an independent movie directed by Ethan Hawke and starring his daughter Maya Hawke, dips in and out of the life story and imagination of the novelist and short story writer who defined southern Gothic literature.
