A Prayer for the Dying
A sheriff traumatised by the Civil War faces a series of nightmarish choices when both a plague and a wildfire spread through his town. Also starring John C. Reilly!
The year is 1870, in a town called Friendship, Wisconsin. A dead man with his pockets turned inside out is found in the bushes of a smallholding. The town’s acting sheriff, Jacob Hansen (Johnny Flynn), cycles to the scene. A dead dog is also discovered beside the well, and no one seems to be missing it.
Scorching heat and crippling drought torment the small town, home to Scandinavian immigrants, as a huge forest fire draws closer. Before ash begins to fall from the sky, a deadly epidemic spreads among the people of Friendship, which the town doctor (John C. Reilly) can do little more than slow down.
Sheriff Hansen is not only a pastor and an undertaker but also a traumatised Civil War veteran, who has been given a second chance. Now he must find a way to make the right choices in an impossible situation. Quarantine, a forest fire and post-traumatic stress disorder make for a combination that is enough to drive anyone to madness. Being awake soon becomes a nightmare in itself.
The powerful debut feature from American-Norwegian director Dara Van Dusen, A Prayer for the Dying is based on Stewart O’Nan’s novel of the same name, with the author co-writing the screenplay alongside the director.
Marko Ylitalo (translated by Mira Liimatainen)
Screenings
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Kinopalatsi 1Sun 20.9. at 16.00–17.3595 min, 1/3
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Kinopalatsi 5Wed 23.9. at 20.45–22.2095 min, 2/3
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Kinopalatsi 2Fri 25.9. at 21.15–22.5095 min, 3/3