A new documentary celebrating the rivers, wildlife and wild places of Texas is getting a big-screen debut with a live orchestra in Dallas on Sept. 22.
Deep in the Heart II: Texas Rivers, directed by Texas filmmaker Ben Masters and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Ethan Hawke, will have its world premiere at Moody Performance Hall as part of a special movie-in-concert event presented by the Dallas Chamber Symphony.
The film is scheduled to open in theaters across Texas on Sept. 25.
Ethan Hawke Takes Audiences Across Texas
Hawke, a Texas native and longtime film and theater performer, provides the narration for the documentary, which takes viewers across the Lone Star State’s waterways.
The filmmakers explore Texas rivers, springs, creeks and bays while highlighting wildlife that depends on these ecosystems.
The film features animals including otters, turkeys, alligator snapping turtles and mountain lions as it moves through some of the state’s distinctive landscapes.
The documentary is directed by Masters, who previously made Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story and The River and the Wall.
Dallas Orchestra Will Perform the Score Live
The Dallas premiere is designed to be more than a standard movie screening.
The Dallas Chamber Symphony will perform the film’s original score live while the documentary plays on screen. Richard McKay will conduct the orchestra during the 82-minute presentation.
Composer Noah Sorota created the score, which incorporates musical elements inspired by the movement and character of Texas waterways.
The Dallas Chamber Symphony also recorded the soundtrack in Texas, giving the production a local connection beyond the film itself.
A Texas Story Told Through Its Rivers
For Masters, the documentary is built around the role rivers play across the state.
The filmmaker has described Texas rivers as central to wildlife habitat, communities and the state’s landscape. The documentary travels from the Rio Grande to waterways including the Sabine and Neches, showing the wildlife and scenery connected to them.
The movie also looks at the future of Texas waterways and the importance of protecting the state’s rivers and water resources.
Dallas World Premiere Comes Before Statewide Theater Run
The world premiere is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District.
The Dallas Chamber Symphony lists reserved tickets at $39 to $75 for the movie-in-concert event.
The film then moves into Texas theaters beginning Sept. 25, with screenings listed in cities including Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Amarillo and several other Texas communities.
Some screenings will also feature appearances by members of the filmmaking team.
A Different Kind of Texas Movie Premiere
The combination of a wildlife documentary, Ethan Hawke’s narration and a live symphony gives Deep in the Heart II: Texas Rivers an unusual setup for a Texas film release.
Instead of simply watching the documentary on a theater screen, Dallas audiences will hear the movie’s score performed live by a local orchestra.
For Texas moviegoers, outdoor enthusiasts and fans of Hawke, the Sept. 22 premiere offers a chance to see the film before its broader theatrical run begins later in the week.