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FilmNorth and the Walker Art Center are proud to co-present a special 20th anniversary screening of Sweet Land, the beloved, independently produced Minnesota film written and directed by Ali Selim, based on the short story “A Gravestone Made of Wheat” by Will Weaver. The event will take place on June 20 at the Walker Art Center and will feature a post screening conversation with Selim, along with producer and star Alan Cumming, lead actor Tim Guinee, and author Will Weaver, moderated by Rya Kihlstedt. Originally released in 2006, Sweet Land stands as a landmark of independent filmmaking—shot on location in Minnesota and financed outside the traditional studio system. The film went on to receive widespread critical acclaim, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature, and remains a touchstone of regional storytelling and artistic independence.
Set in the early 20th century, Sweet Land tells the story of an immigrant woman and a reserved Minnesota farmer whose quiet love story unfolds against the backdrop of cultural tension and community resistance. Its exploration of immigration—alongside themes of belonging, identity, and resilience—continues to resonate deeply. At a time when national conversations around immigration remain urgent and often divisive, the film offers a poignant, human-centered perspective that reminds audiences of the long history of newcomers shaping American communities.
“This is a rare opportunity to revisit a defining work of Minnesota cinema in the company of the artists who brought it to life,” said FilmNorth Executive Director Andrew Peterson. “Sweet Land exemplifies what independent filmmaking can achieve when it is rooted in place, community, and vision.”
The screening is the latest in many collaborations between the Walker Art Center and FilmNorth that celebrate independent cinema and its intersection with broader cultural and artistic practices.
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Event Venue
Walker Art Center, Cardamom, 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1139, United States
Tickets
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