The Fargo Film Festival is proud to announce Fargo-Moorhead native Mike Scholtz’s documentary “Lost Conquest” as its opening night showcase selection. Shot on location in Minnesota, this charming and thought-provoking film made its world premiere at Independent Film Festival Boston last year.
Since then, the movie has played at festivals across the country, including the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Scholtz describes the film as a “deconstructionist documentary that tackles the eternal question of why we believe the things we believe. With swords.”
“Lost Conquest” explores the legend of an ancient Viking conquest of Minnesota, including the mysterious Kensington Runestone. Are the stories true or has Minnesota fallen victim to one of the greatest practical jokes of all time? Interviews with true believers, academics, skeptics, and Viking culture enthusiasts depict this decades-old debate with humor and healthy doses of Midwestern pride.
“Scholtz is able to craft a new image, not of village idiots rambling nonsensically, but people trying to figure out their place in the world.” — Next Projection
“Lost Conquest is a rarity — a film that is actually able to sneak an important idea into a group that might not otherwise consider it, while still being tremendously entertaining.” — eFilmCritic.com
“Lost Conquest” will screen at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at the Fargo Theatre. Director Mike Scholtz and several of the film’s subjects will answer questions from the audience following the movie.
Tickets and Fargo Film Festival passes go on sale on Monday, February 29 exclusively at the Fargo Theatre box office.