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USA Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
City where 'Sinners' is set with no movie theater in early talks to hold public screening
City where 'Sinners' is set with no movie theater in early talks to hold public screening Show Caption Hide Caption 'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible." Community leaders and officials in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners" is set, are in preliminary talks to partner with studio executives to bring a public screening to the town that has no active movie theater. The update comes after local activist Tyler Yarbrough penned an open letter to Coogler, actor Michael B. Jordan and the rest of the cast to visit his hometown, which made national headlines last week. Capital B News first reported the story. Yarbrough, 26, confirmed with USA TODAY on May 6 that he and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy have had several discussions with top executives at Warner Bros. to bring a potential screening to the area in the near future, but there are no concrete plans at the moment. "Nothing is set in stone, not even a date or location," he said, adding that they are in the conversation stages despite reports. "I want us to co-create something with Warner Bros., that feels authentic, feels good for them and our community." Warner Bros. did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Previously: Mississippi city where 'Sinners' is set has no movie theater, calls on cast to visit Yarbrough's petition garnered thousands of signatures Yarbrough, who has been organizing since high school, was born and raised in Clarksdale. It is about 155 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi and about 80 miles southwest of Memphis, Tennessee. Yarbrough's favorite thing about his hometown, a historically significant hub for blues music, is "the people, the talent, the possibilities, and the dreams." As of 2023, Clarksdale has an estimated 14,000 people. It currently has no operating movie theaters because they were either closed or were transformed for other purposes, so Yarbrough had to travel miles to watch "Sinners" when it was released. After hearing some discourse from residents, he started his petition, which has gathered nearly 6,000 signatures at the time of publication. He felt compelled to welcome the cast and crew to the place that inspired the popular horror movie, which he credited for capturing the essence of the Mississippi Delta. Although set in Clarksdale, the movie was reportedly filmed in several locations in Louisiana. Based in the 1930s, the main characters, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), return to the small city from Chicago to start a juke joint when unwelcome blood thirsty guests ruin their shindig. City of Clarksdale fully supports the public screening In his letter, Yarbrough emphasized how the visit will shed light on Clarksdale's history and legacy. In addition to the public screening, he said they could swing by community staples like Red's Juke Joint and Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by Morgan Freeman. "I believe there needs to be a screening, but also believe that this can be something a bit more," Yarbrough said, adding that he hopes it includes panel discussions spearheaded by residents. "I would love to see the cast and the director come to see some of our juke joints and party with us, and come see some of our farms." Espy told USA TODAY that he recognizes and fully backs Yarbrough's efforts. Although an official date has not been established, they are looking to hold the event before Juneteenth, which, according to him, has piqued the interest of out-of-state visitors and would be "a great moment" for the city. "The community has come together, and it gives us an opportunity to highlight not only a great movie, but also to show the culture here in Clarksville," Espy said. "I'm really thankful that people like Tyler Yarbrough exist, and he cares about his community. When a person steps up and takes it to that next have to give him 110% support." Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mississippi city where 'Sinners' is set has no movie theater, calls on cast to visit
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. Don't let them in!: What to know about the vampire invitation featured in 'Sinners' 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@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clarksdale, Mississippi, which inspired 'Sinners,' asks cast to visit
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Mississippi city where 'Sinners' is set has no movie theater, calls on cast to visit
Mississippi city where 'Sinners' is set has no movie theater, calls on cast to visit An open letter from the city of Clarksdale to Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan says that 'We are ready,' and had 4,000 signatures as of Thursday Show Caption Hide Caption 'Sinners': A vampire wants to crash Michael B. Jordan's party Cornbread (Omar Miller) isn't acting like his old self when trying to re-enter the party in Ryan Coogler's period horror movie "Sinners." 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. Don't let them in!: What to know about the vampire invitation featured in 'Sinners' '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@
