Deep in the Heart 2 Documentary Debuted in Theaters
The Texas-focused film narrated by Ethan Hawke opened locally on September 25, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Documentary
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South Austin filmmaker Ben Masters released his latest documentary, Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers, to local and regional theaters. The film continues the director's focus on the state's natural landscapes and waters.
Why it matters
The release highlights the ongoing work of a local production studio that has turned South Austin into a hub for wildlife filmmaking. It marks the latest project in a career spanning over a decade for the Austin-based team at Fin and Fur Films.
Fin and Fur Films operates with 10 staff members in South Austin, building on the 14 years filmmaker Ben Masters has spent producing wildlife movies. The total impact of this latest release on regional viewership remains unknown.
The players
Ben Masters
An Austin-based filmmaker and the founder of Fin and Fur Films who has spent 14 years making wildlife movies.
Ethan Hawke
An actor and narrator who provided the voiceover for Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers.
Fin and Fur Films
A South Austin production studio composed of 10 employees that focuses on Texas wildlife and environmental documentaries.
The details
The production company, Fin and Fur Films, utilized edit bays converted from rooms in a rental house to assemble the new film. Director Ben Masters previously helmed the 2018 documentary The River and the Wall, which featured a journey from El Paso to the Gulf. The current project expands his portfolio of Texas-centric cinema, shifting the focus to the state's river systems.
Timeline
2018: The documentary The River and the Wall was released.
September 25, 2026: Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers opened in theaters.
The Texas Context
This release follows the pattern set by the 2018 documentary The River and the Wall, which established the filmmaker's focus on environmental issues. It builds upon a track record of documenting Texas geography that spans over a decade of production work.
Local residents can view the film at theaters in cities including San Antonio as of late September. The production work remains centered in the South Austin studio space where the 10-person team operates.
The takeaway
The filmmaker has transitioned from his 2018 exploration of the borderlands to a new focus on the state's river systems. Residents interested in the production should monitor local theater listings for screening availability following the September 25 debut.
Further reading
For more on local film production and recent projects, visit the Documentary archive.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Texas Public Radio.
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