rHodas: SXSW 2012 Kicks Off With 'Cabin In The Woods'

Thursday, March 15, 2012

SXSW 2012 Kicks Off With 'Cabin In The Woods'

On the South by Southwest film festival red carpet, Joss Whedon tells MTV News the flick had 'a very weirdly organic genesis.'
By Kara Warner

Joss Whedon at SXSW
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

The annual South by Southwest film festival kicked off in splendid, if slightly soggy, fashion Friday night with the world premiere of "Cabin in the Woods."

Amidst unseasonably chilly temperatures and intermittent downpours in Austin, Texas, the film's cast and crew braved the elements to walk the red carpet ahead of the highly anticipated horror film's packed screening.

"We are so excited to be premiering at South by Southwest: We really couldn't have asked for a better place to premiere this film," first-time director Drew Goddard told MTV News. "We feel like we're a South by Southwest film, so we're happy to be here. It worked out well for us.

"I feel like South by Southwest has a swagger, a rock and roll feel to it. When you hear those words, you feel like they're pushing the edge of what's acceptable in society and I feel like — I hope — that we did the same," Goddard added, speaking to the film's intrigue and appeal.

"Apparently, South by Southwest is a really rad festival, and I think this is a really rad film, so it's a good fit," star Anna Hutchison said. "Also Joss is really excited about it, so if he's excited, you know that it's a good thing."

Speaking of co-writer and fan-boy favorite Joss Whedon, the "Avengers" director and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" mastermind said that the long-delayed and slightly troubled backstory surrounding "Cabin" makes it even more perfect for a SXSW showing.

"It was created very independently, and it came up very organically," Whedon said. "It wasn't churned out of a studio system. The fact that MGM, Mary Parent was taking a lot of risks. She let us shoot word-for-word exactly what we wrote. That's the movie we made. Then obviously it had some troubles, and Lionsgate came in, and it had a very weirdly organic genesis."

Co-star Bradley Whitford summed up his SXSW excitement with his love for its host city: "I love, love, love Austin — even when it feels like Iceland," he said with a smile from under an umbrella. "I love this town, so I was thrilled to be able to come here." He said "Cabin" has "a very young, hip, humorous, smart, astute thing going on."

Kristen Connolly added: "It's awesome to know that people are excited about the movie, and it's awesome to be here. It's such a cool festival, I've wanted to come to it for ages, so I'm thrilled to be here."

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