RAPID CITY, S.D. – A film with deep ties to South Dakota is coming to the Black Hills as part of its initial theatrical release. The award-winning movie “East of Wall,” which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, will be shown at AMC Classic Rapid City 10 today at 8 p.m.
Ryan Hall of Rapid City worked on the film as first assistant director and co-producer said “The Sundance Audience Award in the next category is literally a dream come true for almost everyone involved in making independent film. We had such a great team, and Kate(director) had such a clear vision and an uncanny ability to bring out the best in people while a camera is pointed at them.”
The directorial debut of Kate Beecroft, the film is based on the true story of Tabatha Zimiga, a rancher in western South Dakota who manages her property and battles financial struggles after the loss of her husband. Zimiga stars as herself alongside her daughter Porshia and other local teenagers. The cast also includes notable actors Scoot McNairy and Jennifer Ehle.
Beecroft, who spent three years living with Zimiga and her family, made a concerted effort to hire a nearly all-South Dakotan crew. The film aims to show a different side of the state and provide a unique voice to the western genre. The story has also been screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and picked up for screening by the Academy of Motion Pictures.
“It’s awesome seeing a really good film made here.” Commented Hall, “Being made here and bringing in local actors and crew… They bought into the essence of South Dakota.”