The Fargo Film Festival is proud to announce the Sundance award-winning documentary and Oscar shortlisted “The Overnighters” as the opening night showcase for the 2015 Festival.
Winner of the Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, “The Overnighters” is “one of the most remarkable examples of layered non-fiction storytelling to come along in some time.” (Indiewire)
In the small town of Williston, North Dakota, tens of thousands of unemployed hopefuls show up with dreams of honest work and a big paycheck under the lure of the oil boom. However, busloads of newcomers chasing a broken American Dream step into the stark reality of slim work prospects and nowhere to sleep.
Over at Concordia Lutheran Church, Pastor Jay Reinke is driven to deliver the migrants some dignity. Night after night, he converts his church into a makeshift dorm and counseling center, opening the church’s doors to allow the “Overnighters” to stay for a night, a week or longer.
Many who take shelter with Reinke are living on society’s fringes and with checkered pasts, and their presence starts affecting the dynamics of the small community. The congregants begin slinging criticism and the city council threatens to shut the controversial program down, forcing the pastor to make a decision which leads to profound consequences that he never imagined.
“A masterpiece [&] a stunning piece of Americana…one of the best films of the year.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“A gripping saga…moving and almost operatic.” — Salon
“Truly extraordinary…as rich emotionally as it is enlightening.” — RogerEbert.com
“The Overnighters” will screen at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 at the Fargo Theatre. Director Jesse Moss and subject Jay Reinke will participate in an audience Q&A following the movie. Tickets and Festival passes go on sale February 23 exclusively at the Fargo Theatre box office.