FAYETTVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas’s rich cultural tapestry and diverse landscapes have served as a captivating backdrop for quite a few cinematic gems over the years.
Here are five award-winning films set in Arkansas to add to your must-watch list.
True Grit (2010)
In True Grit (2010), directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, a determined young girl hires a grizzled U.S. Marshal to track down her father’s killer in the wild west, embarking on a thrilling and gritty adventure filled with danger and suspense. The film is based on the book of the same name published in 1968.
The Arkansas General Assembly established The True Grit Trail, a scenic journey through the landscapes that influenced Charles Portis’ novel “True Grit,” in 2019, according to The Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The trail includes stops like Fort Smith, Dardanelle and Mount Magazine State Park.
True Grit (2010) won the BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress for Hailee Steinfeld’s performance, according to IMDb.
- Locations: Fort Smith, see also The True Grit Trail
- Wins: 38
- Nominations: 169
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95% (Tomatometer), 85% (Audience Score)
Minari (2020)
Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a 2020 American drama depicting a Korean-American family’s move from California to rural Arkansas, driven by the father’s ambition to farm Korean vegetables. Writer and director Chung based the movie on his experiences growing up in Lincoln, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
“Everyone always talks about theimmigrantstuff,” Chung said in an interview featured in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. “To me, this is an Arkansas story or a farming story.”
Although Minari doesn’t specify the exact location, it does mention that Rogers is an hour away.
Minari’s Youn Yuh-jungwon won an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her part in the film, according to IMDb. Minari has amassed 122 total wins and 245 nominations.
- Location: Western Arkansas, about an hour from Rogers
- Wins: 122
- Nominations: 245
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98% (Tomatometer), 87% (Audience Score)
Walk the Line (2005)
Walk the Line tells the story of Johnny Cash, who moved to Dyess in Mississippi County when he was three years old. Set against the backdrop of Cash’s rise to fame, the film delves deep into his personal struggles, including his battles with addiction, love and redemption.
Dyess holds historical significance as the site of the Dyess Colony, established during the Great Depression as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The colony aimed to assist struggling farmers and families by offering land, housing, and resources for self-sufficiency.
Today, Dyess has about 400 residents, as of the 2020 U.S. Census.
The movie won several awards, including Oscars for Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon) and Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon), according to IMDb.
- Location: Dyess, Arkansas
- Wins: 45
- Nominations: 48
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 82% (Tomatometer), 90% (Audience Score)
Sling Blade (1996)
Sling Blade is a psychological drama film directed by Billy Bob Thornton, featuring his award-winning performance as Karl Childers, a mentally challenged man released from a psychiatric hospital. The film explores Karl’s integration into society and the complexities of his relationships, offering a poignant and thought-provoking narrative about redemption and human connection.
The movie takes place in Arkansas, although the exact location is unspecified. The entire movie was shot in Benton in Saline County, hometown of writer, director and star of Sling Blade Thornton, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
Sling Blade won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, which Thornton wrote himself, according to IMDb.
- Location: Arkansas (unspecified), filmed in Benton, Arkansas
- Wins: 14
- Nominations: 15
- IMDb rating: 8.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97% (Tomatometer), 92% (Audience Score)
Mud (2012)
Mud, directed by Arkansas native Jeff Nichols, follows two teenage boys as they encounter a fugitive named Mud (played by Matthew McConaughey) hiding out on a deserted island in the Mississippi River. The boys become entangled in a dangerous adventure that tests their understanding of loyalty, trust and the complexities of adult relationships.
The film takes place in DeWitt, the center of Arkansas’ rice industry according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. However, the film was shot in about 8 weeks in several other locations in Arkansas, including Dumas, Lake Village and Stuttgart.
Mud awards such as Best Supporting Actor for Matthew McConaughey and Best First Film for Jeff Nichols at the Austin Film Critics Association Awards, along with a Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards among other nominations and recognitions, according to IMDb.
- Location: DeWitt, Arkansas
- Wins: 15
- Nominations: 39
- IMDB rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97% (Tomatometer), 80% (Audience Score)
