Community leaders in a northwestern Mississippi city where Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is based are petitioning for a public screening despite not having an operating movie theater.
The horror box office smash follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both played by actor Michael B. Jordan, in the 1930s as the duo returns to Clarksdale, Mississippi, from Chicago to start a juke joint. Chaos ensues when unwelcome bloodthirsty guests disrupt their shindig.
Although set in the small city, the movie was reportedly filmed in several locations in Louisiana.
As Capital B News first reported, local activist Tyler Yarbrough of Clarksdale had to travel 80 miles to see the film twice, which the 26-year-old credited for capturing the essence of the Mississippi Delta.
The movie theaters in his hometown, which has population of about 14,000 people as of 2023, have either closed or were transformed for other purposes, according to the report. Among them was the historically segregated Paramount Theater, which will serve as a creative arts community facility.
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‘We are ready. We are waiting.’
Yarbrough felt compelled to rally for Coogler, Jordan, and the “Sinners” cast to visit Clarksdale and collaborate on a public screening.
His petition, titled “Open Letter to Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, and the Cast and Crew of Sinners to Visit Clarksdale,” had nearly 4,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. The community was planning to shoot a video on May 2 to invite the crew.
“There needs to be a coming home to these Black creators who are making these million-dollar films and being connected with our folks on the ground,” he told Capital B News. “I think it’s deeply important. And I think not only is it important for the folks who live here, but also for just Black America to like, really come home.”
In addition to Paramount Theater, Yarbrough welcomed the crew to stop by other staples, including the “authentic” Red’s Juke Joint and Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by Morgan Freeman.
During his press tour, Coogler revealed that “Sinners” was inspired by his late Uncle James, who taught him about blues music and tales about his life in Mississippi.
“That connection, and all the deep research, shines through. It’s why the film doesn’t just entertain; it feels lived-in, loved, and wrestled with,” the petition stated.
“Just as your uncle’s Blues Music and making this film lit a fire in you, we believe a visit to Clarksdale from you could light an even bigger one for the next generation,” the petition continued. “We are ready. We are waiting. And we would be proud to welcome you back to where it all began.”
Clarksdale is about 155 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi and about 80 miles southwest of Memphis, Tennessee.
USA TODAY reached out to Yarbrough and Coogler’s team for comment.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clarksdale, Mississippi, which inspired ‘Sinners,’ asks cast to visit
