‘Sing Sing’ Filmmakers Roll Into Sundance Film Festival With ‘Train Dreams’ Starring Joel Edgerton

by

Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar are having a particularly good week.

As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to share that the creative minds behind the films “Jockey” and “Sing Sing,” who recently earned their first Oscar nominations for best adapted screenplay, are unveiling their newest creation, “Train Dreams,” at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. The team’s founder, Bentley, humbly acknowledges the whirlwind of success, stating, “It’s a wonderful dilemma to be in” amidst an already bustling year and an influx of positive updates. He continues, “It’s been refreshing to have a project to focus on, preventing us from getting too swept up in the whirlwind of awards contention.

In “Train Dreams,” a novel by Dennis Johnson (who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), we follow the life of Robert Grainier, a worker in Idaho and Washington State who contributed significantly to the growth of the railroad system and later the logging industry. Though the book is relatively short at just 117 pages, it’s incredibly detailed, chronicling Grainier’s journey from the tail-end of Westward Expansion, through the tragic loss of his wife and daughter, up until the 1960s. The impressive ensemble cast includes Joel Edgerton, Kerry Condon, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, and Clifton Collins Jr.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement as “Train Dreams,” a masterpiece co-written by the talented duo behind “Sing Sing,” prepares for its grand debut in Park City on January 26. This ambitious project marks a significant leap forward in their filmmaking journey, with each taking turns to direct. The harmonious narrative seamlessly weaves through three decades of one man’s life, expanding the cinematic horizon without compromising the earthy, independent style that has earned them recognition as pioneers in practical, independent filmmaking today.

According to Bentley, the aim behind “Train Dreams” was to portray individuals from a particular era, focusing on men specifically. He himself hails from northeastern Florida and grew up on a working cattle ranch. His grandfather’s generation, as well as his father’s, lacked the verbal means to express even their joy, let alone their sorrow. Yet, they experienced profound emotions. For Grainier, the waters are still and deep, and Edgerton, as the filmmakers believe, was the perfect actor to embody the blend of masculinity and vulnerability.

Edgerton explains his connection with the character by saying, “I’m very avoidant of conflict, and at times I feel my life just goes wherever it may,” but Grainier stood out for him. “What always resonated was that Grainier desired certain things or held specific ideas, yet he never seemed to think the ceiling on his potential was too low or that he didn’t have the freedom to carve his own life’s course.”

This version maintains the original meaning but is rephrased for easier comprehension and more natural flow.

As a gamer, I often find myself drawn to stories about ordinary folks, much like how director Justin Edgerton was captivated by the lives of everyday individuals. Just as he puts it, “It only takes one or two questions to uncover that someone’s life is incredibly intriguing.

Usually, films set in historical periods often center around influential business leaders or striking figures. However, the director explains, “I aimed to honor a life, even in a subtle manner.” The history books focus on grand movements such as Westward Expansion. But they don’t discuss ordinary individuals like Joe, Chen, or Amy who were part of those moments and lived vibrant, beautiful lives, only to be forgotten.

Before commencing their writing process, Bentley and Kwedar departed for Bonners Ferry, Idaho – the location where the book is based. They navigated through thick woodlands while listening to the audio version of Train Dreams, and enlisted the help of a naturalist to educate them about the terrain. According to Kwedar, “We managed to get ourselves invited to logging camps and spent time with loggers.” In simpler terms, how does one gain access to logging camps? “Typically, you strike up a conversation with someone at a local bar.

In contrast to previous productions where directors worked side by side on set, Kwedar found himself promoting Sing Sing during the filming process. On the rare occasions when he visited the Spokane set, he was taken aback, exclaiming, “Wow!” They had generators, vehicles, trailers, and top-notch catering – all the signs of a more expansive budget compared to previous films.

Nevertheless, as stated by Kwedar, “It still seemed to him like he was merely slipping off with a camera and a few performers. It had an air of continuation from the kind of magic he discovered on Jockey with his small team of ten.

Bentley shared that they’re working with around $400,000 for the production of ‘Jockey.’ However, it seems more grand due to filming in an established setting,” Bentley said. Their 2021 project was filmed at a functioning Arizona racetrack, with Collins Jr. surrounded by genuine racehorse jockeys. On the other hand, ‘Sing Sing’ was made using a cast of actors who had previously been incarcerated, within a decommissioned prison.

In the making of “Train Dreams“, they filmed in real forests during active logging operations, collaborating with Washington State University for overall forest management. This led to captivating scenes from clearcut slopes and breathtaking images of colossal trees falling to the ground below. They utilized an antiquated trestle bridge from the early 1900s, one of the few remaining ones, which was discovered on private property. In other locations, they even constructed a complete log cabin along a riverbank. Bentley comments, “We could have potentially constructed that log cabin on a stage with an LED screen, but perhaps a larger project would have opted for such methods.

The novel, “Train Dreams,” now up for distribution beyond the festival, delves into the complex bond between humans and nature. As Bentley puts it, “We have a false sense of control, able to adjust temperatures at home with a simple button press. We believe ourselves invincible until an unexpected event reminds us just how fragile we truly are.

In the movie, a fierce wildfire sweeps through the woods near Grainier’s residence, causing his cabin to be ruined, and his wife and daughter go missing. The filming was originally planned for 2023, but a writers and actors strike halted production. Just as everyone was preparing to return home, a wildfire broke out outside Spokane.

The director remarks that it was quite strange to observe,” he says, explaining that the movie, titled “Train Dreams,” takes inspiration from actual fires in the region between 1921 and 1923. Coincidentally, as this film is about to debut in Park City, Los Angeles is grappling with destructive wildfires that have razed more than 14,000 structures and resulted in numerous casualties.

Bentley remarked, “Despite being set in the past, this tale seemed strikingly relatable to our contemporary world.

Read More

2025-01-25 22:56