Q+A session with northeast Arkansas natives who made film to follow
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas Cinema Society will kick off the fall spooky season with a screening of the Arkansas-made feature film Ghosts of the Ozarks, a tale of suspense set in post-Civil War Arkansas, on Sept. 22, 2022 at Jonesboro Towne Cinema, located at 2407 E. Parker Road. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the film will start at 7:15. A Q+A with filmmakers and northeast Arkansas natives Tara Perry and Jordan Wayne Long will follow. Admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. The event is sponsored by the Oasis Film + Digital Media Festival.
“Our mission at the Arkansas Cinema Society is to support and promote Arkansas-made films,” said ACS Executive Director Kathryn Tucker. “We’ve been wanting to screen Ghosts of the Ozarkssince it premiered last year and we’re big fans of filmmakers like Jordan and Tara who are bringing productions back home to grow our creative economy in the state. We hope the people of Northeast Arkansas come out to see an incredible film made in their own backyard.”
Ghosts of the Ozarks Synopsis: In post-Civil War Arkansas, a young doctor is mysteriously summoned to a remote town in the Ozarks only to discover that the utopian paradise is filled with secrets and surrounded by a menacing, supernatural presence.
Starring Thomas Hobson, Perry, Phil Morris and Angela Bettis with David Arquette and Tim Blake Nelson, Ghosts of the Ozarks was co-directed by Jordan Wayne Long and Matt Glass. It was written by Tara Perry and Long with Sean Anthony Davis. ACS board president Christina McLarty Arquette and her husband, David, helped produce the film.
Long and Perry began writing the script in September 2016 based off a short film he co-wrote and co-directed with Glass earlier that month. The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival in October 2021 and opened in theaters and On-Demand February 3, 2022. This will be the film’s first Arkansas screening.
Production took place for the feature in June and July 2020 around Trumann, Arkansas, with a few production days on location at the Parker Pioneer Homestead in Harrisburg. Long built the set for the fictional town of Norfork with his father Roger, Matthew Price and Aaron Preusch on 20 acres of land in Trumann that was formerly a cotton compress. Long also built the interior set of Torb’s bar in one of the hundred year old warehouses on-site.
“I’m so excited for this screening in Jonesboro because so many local people were involved in the filmmaking process and now they’ll have a chance to see it on the big screen,” said Perry. “Filming in smaller towns is wonderful–everyone is excited to be a part of the production and it’s always a positive experience. It feels good to be able to give back to the communities that surround the area too. We had several students from Bay High School help build the sets (pre-pandemic) and we continue to mentor some of those students, who are pursuing a career in filmmaking after graduating.”
Oasis Executive Director Mikel Wewers is excited to host the filmmakers.
“All of us at Oasis Film & Digital Media Festival are excited to host Ghosts of the Ozarks with our friends at ACS,” said Wewers. “We love seeing film productions come to northeast Arkansas, so we can’t wait to hear Jordan and Tara’s story about how they brought this story to life.”
About Jordan Wayne Long
Jordan Wayne Long (HCT.media) is a Writer/Director/Production Designer. He graduated with his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2011. In his writing Jordan focuses on world building and writing adventures with meaning. Jordan grew up in rural Arkansas with family always close by. “Luckily I had the best English teacher in the country next door. Miss Bettye instilled adventure in my mind, while my father taught me how to manifest those into fruition.” Jordan is forever thankful for that hunger. He co-created the production company HCT.media with Matt Glass and directs feature films with him. For their film Ghosts of the Ozarks, Jordan built a town for the backdrop of the film.
About Tara Perry
Tara Perry is an actor/writer/producer. After spending six years with the Emmy award winning Nickelodeon television show The Fresh Beat Band as Marina, Tara began writing and producing with HCT.media. As a graduate of the Groundlings and UCB program’s, Tara brings a certain amount of levity to dramatic narratives, highlighting life’s unfiltered comedic moments in its bleakest hours.
About Oasis Film + Digital Media Festival
Oasis Film & Digital Media Fest is a first for Jonesboro. With so many filmmakers and digital artists in the surrounding areas, it promises to be an exciting weekend packed with excellent films! Visual artists of all genres will exhibit for people from all over in downtown Jonesboro April 21st and 22nd, 2023.
About Arkansas Cinema Society
Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is a non-profit committed to building a film community in Arkansas where film lovers can watch films, share ideas, connect with each other, and nurture the new and existing film talent within our state through increased exposure to filmmakers and their art. Memberships are available to the public at large who may wish to dive into educational videos, member-only tickets, movie swag, and more. Those interested in supporting ACS can visit their website atwww.arkansascinemasociety.org.
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