Filmmaker Adapts Literary Titan DeLillo's Play

Filmmaker Ben Rivers' latest movie, "Mare's Nest," is an adaptation of Don DeLillo's 2007 one-act play, "The Word for Snow." The adaptation draws inspiration from a surprising personal correspondence between Rivers and the acclaimed author. DeLillo, known for his prophetic insights into contemporary issues, initially expressed reservations about a direct film adaptation but granted Rivers his blessing. Rivers conceived of casting children, specifically nine-year-olds, to deliver DeLillo's abstract and profound dialogue, finding the concept powerful during the pandemic. This led to the film's central concept: a post-apocalyptic world where children navigate a landscape without adults. They are not depicted as struggling or fighting, but rather as creatively reinventing their environment and finding new meanings in societal detritus, embodying a sense of hopeful liberation. The film also incorporates literary elements from Daisy Hildyard and Fernando Pessoa, reflecting Rivers' broader artistic approach of reinterpreting source material rather than adhering strictly to it. Rivers previously caught DeLillo's attention with "The Sky Trembles and the Earth is Afraid and the Two Eyes Are Not Brothers," an adaptation loosely based on a Paul Bowles story. Unlike more literal adaptations that have struggled with DeLillo's work, such as Noah Baumbach's "White Noise" or the film "Never Ever," Rivers' "Mare's Nest" aims to preserve the author's distinct tone. David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis" is cited as a successful adaptation for its adherence to DeLillo's style. "Mare's Nest" was filmed across various locations, including Menorca, Snowdonia, and a studio in London. DeLillo has viewed the finished film and expressed his approval, which Rivers found a significant relief.