Writer and director Jeff Nichols (SHOTGUN STORIES, TAKE SHELTER, MUD, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and LOVING) announced today the release of his new short film “Long Way Back Home,” based on the eponymous track from Memphis band Lucero’s new album Among The Ghosts. The film stars two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon, who has appeared in all five of Nichols’ features. Also cast in the project are Garrett Hedlund (MUDBOUND, BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK), Scoot McNairy (Godless, Halt and Catch Fire) and Paul Sparks (House of Cards, The Night Of) and members of Lucero: Ben Nichols, Brian Venable, Roy Berry and John C. Stubblefield.
“Long Way Back Home” marks the writer-director’s first official venture into the music video world and also his first joint effort with brother Ben Nichols’ band. Sarah Green (LOVING, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, MUD, TAKE SHELTER) and Erin Freeman produced the film, which was shot by longtime Nichols collaborator Adam Stone (LOVING, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, MUD, TAKE SHELTER and SHOTGUN STORIES.) The video was shot in both the band’s hometown of Memphis, TN and the Nichols brothers’ home state of Arkansas.
The film tells the story of Stanton, portrayed by Shannon, as he searches the streets and backroads of Memphis for his two younger brothers, played by Hedlund and McNairy. Intensity builds to the sounds of Lucero’s track as questions arise about the intentions of Shannon’s character. Is he searching for his brothers or hunting them down?
“It felt inevitable that one day I’d team up with my brother and the rest of Lucero,” commented Jeff Nichols, “and once I heard the haunting sounds of ‘Long Way Back Home,’ I knew this song was the perfect opportunity to do it. It’s been an amazing ride bringing this project together with so many people who I love and admire. Shooting this brought me back to the days of filming my first movie, SHOTGUN STORIES. We’re all thrilled to be sharing it with the world.”
Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/pD3-XG2Z4Pg
Screenwork Credits
Written & Directed by: Jeff Nichols, Produced by: Sarah Green & Erin Freeman, Associate Producer: Alexa Gabrielle Ramirez, Director of Photography: Adam Stone, Editor: Matt Giordano, Production Designer: Darian Corley, Costume Designer: Meghan Kasperlik, Re-recording Mixer: Lyman Hardy, Colorist: Parke Gregg | CAST Stanton: Michael Shannon, Cory: Garrett Hedlund, Red: Scoot Mcnairy, Blundell: Paul Sparks, Ben: Ben Nichols, Roy: Roy Berry, Rick: Rick Steff, John C.: John C. Stubblefield, Brian: Brian Venable, Al: Al "Kapone" Bailey
About JEFF NICHOLS
Jeff Nichols has written and directed the internationally acclaimed features Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving.
Shotgun Stories earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination; the Grand Jury Prize at the Seattle and Austin Film Festivals; and the International Jury Prize at the 2007 Venice International Film Festival.
Following a 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere, Take Shelter took multiple honors at the Cannes International Film Festival, including the Critics Week Grand Prize; it was later nominated for five Independent Spirit Awards.
Mr. Nichols was again a Spirit Award nominee for his direction of the 2013 release Mud, which world-premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival and became one of the highest-grossing independent films of the year. The cast of Mud shared the Spirits’ Robert Altman Award.
In February 2016, Midnight Special world-premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Mr. Nichols’ most recent film, Loving, world-premiered at the 2016 Cannes International Film Festival and had its North American premiere at the 2016 Toronto international Film Festival. The film won the 2017 PGA Stanley Kramer Award and earned Nichols a WGA Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film earned dozens of other accolades, including Golden Globe® and Oscar® nominations for its cast.
Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mr. Nichols is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts’ School of Filmmaking. He currently resides in Austin, Texas.
