CLARKSDALE, Mich. (AP) — A large crowd gathered at a local auditorium on Thursday to enjoy popular films. Sinner “Set against the backdrop of their community and deeply rooted in Mississippi Delta culture.”
Special showings of the Great Hiller horror movie featured an appearance by director Ryan Coogler, largely due to local petitions.
“I have family in Mississippi – my uncle, my grandfather – and I had never visited until I worked on this script,” Coogler shared with the audience. “Being here has truly transformed me.”
The movie showcases Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as brothers returning to Mississippi to establish a Juke Joint. It combines elements of supernatural horror with drama, action, and music.
The score for “Sinner” was composed by Ludwig Göransson, who, along with actor Miles Canton and others involved in the production, also attended the screening.
“When filmmakers honor the Delta, it holds significant meaning for us, as we are the foundation of music and blues culture,” remarked Brandis Brown Williams, a theater educator who brought two students to the screening.
While the film unfolds in Clarksdale, Mississippi during the 1930s, the town currently lacks a cinema, making it challenging to view movies about their hometown. Community organizers decided to rectify this by inviting the cast and crew to Clarksdale and initiating a petition for public screenings.
“The affection you have for the people of the South, Mississippi, and Clarksdale has been brought to life by your dedication to accurately portraying us,” Tyler Jablov, a community organizer, expressed. “We are ready, we are waiting, and we are proud to welcome you to where it all began.”
Throughout the screening, the audience was lively, responding to the various scenes with laughter, cheers, and applause. Afterwards, Coogler and others participated in a Q&A session.
One attendee, Cindy Hurst, commended the film, describing it as “an authentic visual representation of the beauty of black culture.”
Source: apnews.com