Beasts of the Southern Wild

Wink from Beasts of the Southern Wild represents those who are in denial of climate change and the deteriorating environment around them. He is unhinged and acts unpredictably in situations where he should be more cautious. Drunk off alcohol, he goes out in a heavy storm to prove to his daughter, Hushpuppy, that the storm isn’t scary. With a bottle in one hand and gun in the other, he fires shots into the sky, challenging the storm. What we see as viewers is an irresponsible parent living in his own fantasy of him being the “tough guy”. Throughout the film Wink repeats the line “I got it under control”. He’s in denial of his living conditions, his daughter’s wellbeing, and his sickness. His character has some charm but the viewers are also not completely on his side. Just like some non-believers of climate change, they are just as complex as him, and most likely have understandable reasons for why they’re in denial. Poverty, broken family, harsh environment, etc… Wink knows that if he can’t fight the storm he’ll have to get government help and be taken away into a shelter. Furthermore, Wink is in a community of other like-minded adults who believe they’re safe just where they are. It’s easier to be in denial when people around you are as well. Perhaps what we can take from watching the movie is that like Wink, some deniers of climate change are influenced by their circumstances.