FAYETTVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas‘ 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 movies set in Arkansas to add to your must-see list.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1856. From the New York Public Library. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado//Keynote USA/Getty Images).
True Grit (2010)
In True Grit (2010), directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, a determined young woman hires a grizzled U.S. Marshal to track down her father’s killer in the Wild West, embarking on an exciting and gritty adventure full of 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 the novel “True Grit” by Charles Portis, in 2019, according to The Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The trail includes stops such as 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.
Did you know Arkansas has a state dinosaur?
Minari (2020)
Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a 2020 American drama that depicts a Korean-American family’s move from California to rural Arkansas, driven by the father’s ambition to grow Korean vegetables. Writer-director Chung based the film on his experiences growing up in Lincoln, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
“Everyone is always talking about immigrant issues,” Chung said in an interview published in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. “To me, this is an Arkansas story or an agricultural 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 role in the film, according to IMDb. Minari has accumulated 122 total wins and 245 nominations.
Report: Two Arkansas Cities Among Best Places to Live
Johnny Cash’s hometown on Cotton Highway, Dyess, AR. (Photo by: Visions of America/Education Images/Universal Images Group via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Walk the Line (2005)
Walk the Line tells the story of Johnny Cash, who was born in Dyess in Mississippi County. Set against the backdrop of Cash’s rise to fame, the film delves into his personal struggles, including his battles with addiction, love and redemption.
Dyess has 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 help struggling farmers and families by offering them land, housing, and resources for self-sufficiency.
Today, Dyess has about 400 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
The film won several awards, including the Oscars for best actress (Reese Witherspoon) and the Golden Globes for best motion picture, musical or comedy, best actor (Joaquin Phoenix), and best actress (Reese Witherspoon), according to IMDb.
Arkansas is the fourth most dangerous state in the United States: US News
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 disabled man released from a psychiatric hospital. The film explores Karl’s integration into society and the complexities of his relationships, offering a moving and thought-provoking narrative about redemption and human connection.
The film takes place in Arkansas, although the exact location is not specified. The entire movie was shot in Benton, Saline County, the hometown of writer, director and Sling Blade star Thornton, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
Sling Blade won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, which Thornton himself wrote, according to IMDb.
Your $1 bill could be worth up to $150,000, here’s how to check it
A bank in Arkansas on the Mississippi River similar to those seen in the movie Mud (2012). (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Mud (2012)
Mud, directed by Arkansas native Jeff Nichols, follows two teenagers who encounter a fugitive named Mud (played by Matthew McConaughey) hiding on a desert island in the Mississippi River. The children are drawn into 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 the Arkansas rice industry according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. However, the film was shot in about 8 weeks at 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.
How rich is the richest family in America?
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.