Emily Dickinson gets re-examined in Wild Nights with Emily, the latest from writer and director Madeleine Olnek.
The legendary poet was known for being a recluse, a narrative that has become so ingrained in the reading of her work that questioning it seems almost wrong. However, that’s exactly what Wild Nights is doing, plucking Dickinson out of her usual solitary interiors and putting her in the middle of a sunny, vibrant romance. The film posits that her lover was a woman, which explains why this part of her life might have been swept under the rug by history. These relationships weren’t out in the open at the time, and without proof, it’s safer to stick with a more comfortable, old maid-style narrative.
Olnek isn’t one to let this kind of story sit, though. She’s already made two films with queer content (and excellent names) in The Foxy Merkins and Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same, so it seems like she’s the perfect person to make this into a fun romp.
Furthering that take is the casting of Molly Shannon, who’s best known for her stint on SNL. She’s moved more towards drama in recent years, but her comedy chops are not to be questioned. That she can handle both makes her a good anchor for this twist on a famous story.
Wild Nights with Emily is directed by Madeleine Olnek and stars Molly Shannon, Amy Seimetz, and Susan Ziegler. It will be released in the US on April 12th, 2019. Further release dates are not currently known.
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