Tracker Pixel for Entry

“Northern Lights” screening

Cinema | October 21st, 2015

By Brittney Goodman

The Dakota Resource Council is completing the the last of its free regional screenings of the award-winning film “Northern Lights” at the Fargo Theatre on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Nonpartisan League in North Dakota. The DRC is partnering with the  Northern Plains United Labor Council, The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and the South Agassiz Resource Council for the Fargo screening. All screenings are also supported by the North Dakota AFL-CIO.

The acclaimed film “Northern Lights,” directed by John Hanson and Rob Nilsson, was filmed in North Dakota and premiered in 1978 at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Camera d’Or for Best First Feature. This narrative feature poignantly tells the story of the harsh winter of 1915-16 in Crosby, N.D., and the farmers there who were pitted against the political machine, big business, banks and the railroad. The story focuses particularly on one young farmer, Ray Sorenson, and his struggle to fight back and survive. Sorenson, played by Robert Behling, leaves the farm to become an organizer for the grassroots NPL.

The film is critically acclaimed for its storytelling and stunning black and white cinematography. In addition to its recognition at Cannes, the film was nominated for Best Feature at the Chicago International Film Festival in 1978.

The upcoming Fargo Theatre screening will be followed by a discussion of the film and the impact of the Nonpartisan League on the cultural and political growth of North Dakota. One of the film’s directors, John Hanson, will headline the Fargo screening and participate in the discussion. Hanson is an award-winning independent director, producer and screenwriter, known for the films “Wildrose,” “Shimmer” and many documentaries over his career. Hanson is a director fellow at the Sundance Institute and a founding member of the Independent Feature Project, fostering independent filmmaking. He has also produced award-winning documentaries with the San Francisco group Cine Manifest, including “Western Coal” and “Prairie Fire.” A photographer to boot, Hanson has recently published a retrospective of his own photographs of the High Plains, “Below the Sky.” Hanson is originally from St. Paul, was raised in North Dakota and currently leads Northern Pictures, a media production company, based in Bayfield, Wis.

IF YOU GO:

“Northern Lights” screening and discussion

Mon, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.

Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N

TICKETS: Free admission

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comFM Pride Week returns to the Fargo-Moorhead metro August 3-10. A snapshot of events are listed below. Discover event descriptions and locations as well as volunteer opportunities online at…

August 28, 6-8 p.m.Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo See this major exhibition firsthand and hear about Rimer Cardillo’s work from the artist himself at 7 p.m. Cardillo is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I’m going to go ahead and say it. I have trust issues with a lot of things and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of them. Yes, it’s a tool that can sit shotgun and make your everyday tasks…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comTrump: the new man for all seasonsFive hundred years ago, Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More of England refused to write a letter to Pope Clement VII of the Roman Catholic Church asking that he annul…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com There seems to be a renaissance in Italian restaurants in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. It’s a welcome change from just sporting an Olive Garden as a lone option. No offense to Marilyn Hagerty’s…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Bluegrass is a genre of music that is often associated with the American South. Many people would express incredulity at being told there is a thriving bluegrass and folk music community…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com There are so many memorable moments in the short life of musician Jeff Buckley that filmmaker Amy J. Berg could easily have gotten lost in an endless highlight reel. The veteran documentarian,…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com 2025 marks three years of the Annual Vergas Area Backroads Art Crawl. The art crawl is sponsored by the Vergas Arts Club. The Arts Club also happens to be part of the Vegas Community Club and both…

Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Dr. Marc Sapir, MD, MPHjessica@pellienpublicrelations.com Across America, families are quietly struggling with a rising challenge: how to care for aging parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Most seniors want…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…