The Overnighters
DIRECTOR: Jesse Moss COUNTRY: United States JAHR: 2014 LANGUAGE(S): English SUBTITLES: German RUNNING TIME: 102 min
SECTION: Internationales Forum 2015
SYNOPSIS
North Dakota is experiencing a boom. Since fracking was allowed, the oilfields offer work and wealth. Thousands have fled economic crisis in other parts of the US to seek their luck here.
In the small town of Williston the price of land and rent have shot up. Instead of the “American Dream” newcomers are finding homelessness. They are helped solely by a pastor who opens his church to them – much to the distress of the local community. The conflicts between the locals, the newcomers and the pastor escalate.
Jesse Moss has succeeded in making a powerful documentary about a deeply divided community with all its moral complexities. With strong images and plenty of emotion, he examines the lines between altruism, selfishness and community and asks who is actually still allowed to dream the American dream today. Winner of the Special Jury Award for “Intuitive Filmmaking” at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
JESSE MOSS
Born in San Francisco in 1970, Jesse Moss has worked as a producer for documentray icon Barbara Kopple and as a speech writer in Washington. The founder of Mile End Films, he has made several documentaries including one about demolition derby driver “Speedo” Jager, who will also be the subject of his first feature film. He is currently working on a series of training films about a new cognitive therapy designed to help war veterans.
FILMOGRAPHY
Con Man (2002), Speedo: A Demolition Derby Love Story (2004), Full Battle Rattle (2008), The Overnighters (2013)
PRODUCERS: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine CAMERA: Jesse Moss EDITORS: Jeff Seymann Gilbert, Jesse Moss
PRODUCTION: Drafthouse Films WORLD SALES: Lucas Verga, FILM SALES COMPANY