"A Great Discovery!
A film that never steps wrong and holds us in a vise of tightening revenge."
—Roger Ebert
(Chicago Sun-Times)***
"Unforgettable."
—Aaron Hillis
(Premiere.com)***
"Brilliant."
—David Edelstein
(New York Magazine)***
"A point-blank buckshot blast of American rage, played with the disarmingly placid inevitability of Greek tragedy. Thesping is pitch-perfect."
--Eddie Cockrell(Variety)
Directors
Jeff Nichols
Awards
NOMINEEJohn Cassavetes AwardIndependent Spirit Awards2008 Jury Award WINNERAlba International Film Festival2008 OPENING NIGHTSan Francisco Independent Film Festival2008 WINNERGrand Jury Prize New American CinemaSeattle InternationalFilm Festival2007 WINNERGrand Jury PrizeAustin Film Festival2007 WINNERFipresci PrizeViennale2007
Festivals
2007 Berlin International Film Festival & 2007 Tribeca Film Festival & 2007 Seattle International Film Festival & 2007 Newport International Film Festival & 2007 Sydney Film Festival & 2007 Chicago International Film Festival & 2007 Austin Film Festival & 2007 London Film Festival
Professional Affiliations
USA 2007, 92 minutes, Color, 35mm Cinemascope
SHOTGUN STORIES's Interests
General
Music
original music: BEN NICHOLS(LUCERO) & additional orchestration and music: PYRAMID
Movies
produced by DAVID GORDON GREEN, LISA MUSKAT, AND JEFF NICHOLS.
Television
Upload Films Presents~In association with Muskat Film Properties~A Lucky Old Sun Production
Books
NOMINEE
John Cassavetes Award
Independent Spirit Awards
2008
OPENING NIGHT
San Francisco Independent Film Festival
2008
WINNER
Grand Jury Prize New American Cinema
Seattle International
Film Festival
2007
WINNER
Grand Jury Prize
Austin Film Festival
2007
WINNER
Fipresci Prize
Viennale
2007
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Berlin Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
Chicago Film Festival
London Film Festival
2007
Heroes
CAST:
Michael Shannon,
Douglas Ligon,
Barlow Jacobs,
Michael Abbott Jr,
Travis Smith,
Lynnsee Provence,
David Rhodes,
Glenda Pannell,
G. Alan Wilkins,
Natalie Canerday,
Coley Canpany,
Cole Hendrixson, Cosmo Pfeil
About me: "Shotgun Stories" tracks a feud that erupts between two sets of half brothers following the death of their father. Set against the cotton fields and back roads of Southeast Arkansas, these brothers discover the lengths to which each will go to protect their family.
Who I'd like to meet: EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:Todd Williams, Nick Thurlow, John Portnoy ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Tisha Gribble, Paul Skidmore CINEMATOGRAPHER: Adam Stone EDITOR: Steven Gonzales
There is a great work of cinema currently playing in theaters, though not many theaters, and probably not for long (as is often the case with the truly good ones) -- A film called SHOTGUN STORIES by writer/director Jeff Nichols. Here in Los Angeles it is playing the Sunset 5 right now (as in April 29, 2008). It is one of those flicks I cannot imagine having not seen in a theater. I urge you to check it out. Lyrical, moving, funny, tense, profound. Beautiful. Shot in Arkansas, the film renders this piece of the country and its folks in a detail that is rare and elegant, sweaty and poetic. I was grateful for a true trip home (being from southern Missouri), even if it was an incredibly tense one at times. In fact, because of it in large part. The build, the payoff is so fine, so nice. The film has a great score/soundtrack, laid down by Ben Nichols (Jeff’s brother, I guess/hope (because that’s fine, brothers!)) and his great band (a band I greatly admire) Lucero, also a keen band called Pyramid I am now digging into.
If you’re in a town this movie is playing, I urge you to go support it. If this isn’t possible, you might look for it soon on DVD. But it’s cinema, and if you might sit in a theater with it, things happen.
Saw the movie saturday at Sunset 5. You really captured that part of Arkansas and the people. The acting was really good. Very excited to see it. Congratulations!
Hey...David R. invited us to Little Rock for the showing..next month I think. Super stoked about seeing this one. We're also pretty proud of our Berryville Bro:)
WEST will screen as part of Sydney Film Festival on Wednesday 13th JUNE at 6.35pm at the STATE THEATRE in Sydney.
If you are in Sydney at the time come along and support this new Australian film.
You can book tickets at: www.sydneyfilmfestival.org
There will be an afterparty at the Metro with live bands (including Dave McCormack and the Polaroids!) where you can meet the stars and film makers.
"With its gentle, brooding realism West is an Australian film that says something about us and who we are. It's a film that more than deserves our attention and it will stay with you long after you leave the cinema." - Megan Spencer, 2JJJ Radio
WEST hits the cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra on July 5!
WEST opens in other parts of the world later this year...
