We Don’t Talk Like That: ‘Fargo’ and the Midwest Psyche

We Don’t Talk Like That: ‘Fargo’ and the Midwest Psyche

The 1996 movie “Fargo” stirred widespread curiosity about snowy winters, funny accents and bloody mayhem on the frozen tundra of North Dakota and Minnesota. The film won two Oscar awards and inspired a popular television series of the same name. But how well did it actually capture and reflect the region?

In this documentary, 2 below zero producers Diane Richard and Todd Melby unravel the mystery behind the parkas, prowlers and wood chippers in interviews with actors William H. Macy (Jerry Lundegaard), John Carroll Lynch (Norm Gunderson), Stephen Park (Mike Yanagita), Tony Denman (Scotty Lundegaard), dialect coach Liz Himelstein, women in law enforcement, and many more. Narrated by Bruce Bohne (Deputy Lou). Essential listening for diehard fans of “Fargo.” (Photos courtesy Gramercy Pictures.)

Aired:
• Prairie Public
Minnesota Public Radio
• KFAI – Minneapolis, Minn.
The Drunk Projectionist podcast
• KUT – Austin, Texas
• WYSO – Yellow Springs, Ohio
• South Dakota Public Broadcasting
• PRX Remix
• KSRQ – Thief River Falls, Minn.
• KVSC – St. Cloud, Minn.
• KMSU – Mankato, Minn.

Fargo Woodchipper (Funnier)

Credits:
This documentary is made possible by a grant from the North Dakota Humanities Council in cooperation with Prairie Public.

Todd Melby is a fiscal year 2016 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.