Each year the South by Southwest festival in Texas boasts a lineup of well-known and aspiring musical artists and films. From the lesser-known musician Grimes to 21 Jump Street to Judd Apatow’s eagerly-awaited Girls, see our preview of what’s hot at the Austin fest, which runs March 9-18.
At first glance The Cabin in the Woods looks identical to any of the other horror movies with a haunted house, slew of attractive young stars, and generic, ambiguous title. But this is all deliberate. Even from the first theatrical trailer, which reveals a crucial twist, it’s apparent this isn’t your run-of-the-mill Hollywood bloodbath. Directed by Drew Goddard and starring Chris Hemsworth (cast before he was Thor), The Cabin in the Woods will turn stereotypes of the horror genre inside out.
Probably the most mainstream film premiering in the SXSW lineup, 21 Jump Street stars Superbad’s Jonah Hill and The Vow’s Channing Tatum in the film remake of Johnny Depp’s TV series. The movie features Hill and Tatum as underachieving cops who, because of their youthful looks, are sent back to high school posing as students, with the intent of busting a dangerous drug ring. With a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes review from critics, this highly anticipated action-comedy will be the festival’s centerpiece and will screen March 12 for SXSW audiences.
Columbia Pictures
The only television show to make our list, Girls, a Judd Apatow production, takes a humorous look into the trials, humiliations, and triumphs of a group of 20-something females. It’s set in New York City and features a wannabe writer. A quick look at Girls might suggest a Sex and the City revitalization, but Girls has little in common with that hit show. Take away the shoe closets, over-the-top outfits, and cocktails, and you’re left with Girls—all of the sex with none of the glamour. Created by and starring Lena Dunham, Girls will premiere three episodes at SXSW and debut on HBO in April.
HBO
Made with the support of the Marley family, the film chronicles the life of reggae legend Bob Marley from the early days to his rise to international stardom. Marley is billed as “the definitive life story” of the Rastafarian singer. It includes rare footage, performances, and exclusive interviews with the people he was closest to and has all the elements of a documentary hit. Kevin MacDonald, who won an Academy Award in 2000 for his doc One Day in September, directs the biographical flick.
Magnolia Pictures
This black-as-night comedy follows the adventures of a jobless, loveless, potentially terminally ill man who takes off, armed with guns and a hatred for the American franchise. But along the road to self-destruction, he finds an unlikely accomplice—a 16-year-old girl, who is equally apathetic and violent. The trailer for God Bless America features the odd couple running around Los Angeles, killing whoever pisses them off—mostly douche-baggy teens and corporate moguls. Dark, twisted, and innovative, this flick is certainly not one to take the kids to.
Magnet Releasing / Magnolia Pictures
Will Ferrell stars in the Spanish-language comedy made in the style of an overdramatic telenovela. The Saturday Night Live veteran had just one month to learn Spanish for the part, but was surrounded by Spanish-speaking actors Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, and Genesis Rodriguez. The film tells the story of Armando Alvarez (Ferrell), who must save his father’s ranch from a powerful drug lord. Fortunately for Ferrell and the film, he picked up Spanish fairly easily. “For some reason the schedule worked out to where I literally had like a two-page monologue in Spanish on the first day,” he said. “Once I got the first couple takes under my belt, I could see people watching behind the monitors going, ‘His Spanish is OK. It’s not that bad.’”
Lionsgate
Legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen is set to perform at an intimate SXSW show. Not only will The Boss perform—he also will be the keynote speaker at the 2012 conference. Springsteen released his latest album, Wrecking Ball, earlier this week, and while the E Street Band did not collaborate on the recording, the longtime partners will tour together, hitting the road to support the album. The tour starts March 18 in Atlanta, following Springsteen’s SXSW performance.
Matt Sayles / AP Photo
In 1997 A-Trak won the DMC World DJ Championship as a record-spinning prodigy. He’s been the personal DJ for Kanye West, endorsed clothing companies like Zoo York, and is one half of the duo Duck Sauce, creating hits like “Big Bad Wolf” and “Barbra Streisand.” The successful turntable artist is no newbie to the SXSW scene, having spun records at several of the conference’s events for the past few years. This year, the musical mixologist can be seen headlining two SXSW parties on March 10 and 15.
Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
Brooklyn-based band Beach Fossils was formed in 2009 by Dustin Payseur and soon signed to Captured Tracks. After quickly pulling together a live show, the group toured the country and gained a posse of devoted followers. Beach Fossils boasts a cool, calm, relaxed vibe while still falling in the genre of pop. The group draws inspiration from decades past, channeling old favorites like New Order and Dinosaur Jr. Beach Fossils’ 2011 EP, What a Pleasure, was buzzed about in the blogosphere as a reinvention of the past.
Hutton Supancic / WireImage
Baby Blue Ivy’s daddy, Jay-Z, decided he didn’t have enough of SXSW last year and is back in 2012 to perform March 12 in Austin. His performance will be streamed live and on a digital billboard on a street corner near the festival. The chaos that ensued from the famed artist’s show last year will surely be heightened—rumors have been spreading that Eminem will join Jay-Z on stage.
Donald Traill / AP Photo
The latest sensation out of Canada, Claire Boucher, or Grimes, is a young songstress who has been producing music for only two years, yet seems to have already developed a signature approach. Her style, a mixture of genres that is almost as surprising as her sudden stardom, sets her apart from other musicians her age (Boucher is just 23). Slightly electronic, sort of R & B, and entirely angelic, Grimes is entirely her own.
Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
New Zealand singer Kimbra is the female half behind the hit song “Somebody That I Used to Know” and will be releasing the U.S. version of her latest album, Vows, in May. Released in Australia in 2011, the album earned Kimbra a “one to watch” review from Rolling Stone Australia. Performing since she was 14, she collaborated with Goyte on “Somebody That I Used to Know,” which earned her instant exposure, with the video garnering more than 99 million views. Her smooth, jazz-inflicted pop sound has secured her touring dates with Gotye and Foster the People, but we’re eager to see how she does on her own in Austin.
Joseph Okpako / WireImage
