The Overnighters
| The Overnighters | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jesse Moss |
| Written by | Jesse Moss |
| Produced by | Jesse Moss Amanda McBaine |
| Cinematography | Jesse Moss |
| Edited by | Jeff Seymann Gilbert |
| Music by | T. Griffin |
Production companies | Mlle End Films Al Di La Films Impact Partners |
| Distributed by | Drafthouse Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $100,022[1] |
The Overnighters is a 2014 American documentary film written, directed, and produced by Jesse Moss.[2] It premiered on January 18, 2014, as part of the U.S. Documentary Competition section of the Sundance Film Festival,[3][4] and it won the festival's Special Jury Prize.[5][6] The film also won a prize at the Miami International Film Festival, at which it was screened on March 13, 2014.[7]
After its premiere at Sundance, Drafthouse Films acquired the film's distribution rights. It was released on October 24, 2014, in United States, with a portion of all box office receipts being donated to affordable housing charities in North Dakota.[8][9]
Synopsis[edit]
The film depicts the lives of people chasing the dream of high salaries in the North Dakota oil boom, only to discover that affordable housing is almost impossible to find. Much of the focus is on the efforts of local Lutheran pastor Jay Reinke, who allowed over 1,000 different people to stay at his Williston, North Dakota, church over a period of about two years.[10]
Reception[edit]
The Overnighters was received positively by critics.[11] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 97% approval rating based on reviews from 74 critics, with an average score of 8.5/10; the site's "critics consensus" reads: "Hard-hitting, absorbing, and painfully relevant, The Overnighters offers an urgent and compassionate picture of life in 21st century America."[12] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 89 out of 100 based on reviews from 20 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[13]
Justin Chang of Variety called the film "tough-minded, admirably unresolved".[14] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review, writing: "A scenario with present-day echoes of The Grapes of Wrath yields perceptive insights into the way we view outsiders."[15] Katie Walsh of Indiewire said: "The Overnighters is starkly bleak and devastatingly humane, and an indelible American documentary."[16] Colin Covert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and noted: "The film features stunning third-act revelations that compel viewers to rethink its characters' actions and motivations."[17]
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sundance Film Festival | U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary | Jesse Moss | Nominated |
| U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement for Intuitive Filmmaking | Jesse Moss | Won[18] | ||
| Miami International Film Festival | Miami's Knight Documentary Award | Jesse Moss (Tied with Finding Vivian Maier) | Won[19] | |
| Full Frame Documentary Film Festival | Full Frame Inspiration Award | Jesse Moss | Won[20] | |
| Crested Butte Film Festival | Best Documentary Feature | Jesse Moss | Won |
References[edit]
- ^ "The Overnighters (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "Meet the Sundance Filmmakers: Jesse Moss, Director/Producer, 'The Overnighters'". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "The Overnighters - Director Jesse Moss". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Sundance 2014: U.S. Documentary Competition". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Miami International Film Festival" (PDF). Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Drafthouse Acquires Sundance Award-Winning Doc 'The Overnighters'". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Drafthouse Nabs Sundance Award Winning Docu 'The Overnighters'". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ Chang, Justin (25 January 2014). "Sundance Film Review: 'The Overnighters'". Variety. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "The Overnighters". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "The Overnighters (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
- ^ "The Overnighters: Reviews (2014)". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
- ^ "Sundance Film Review: 'The Overnighters'". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "The Overnighters: Sundance Review". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Sundance Review: Devastating Doc 'The Overnighters' A Humane Look At Compassion & The American Dream". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "What to see at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Sundance Winner 'The Overnighters' Gets U.S. Distribution". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "'A Wolf at the Door,' 'Aurora' Top Miami Festival". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Full Frame announces 2014 award winners". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
