Ryan Coogler hosts ‘Sinners’ screening in Mississippi town where film is set

By SOPHIE BATES Associated Press Clarksdale Miss AP Hundreds of people packed inside a local auditorium Thursday to see the hit film Sinners set in their district and steeped in Mississippi Delta values The special screening of the blockbuster horror film included an appearance by Director Ryan Coogler and was made viable by a region petition I have family from Mississippi my uncle my grandfather and I had never been until working on this script Coogler commented addressing the crowd It really changed me just to come here The Clarksdale Civic Auditorium was packed full of people for a special screening of Sinners in Clarksdale Mississippi on Thursday May AP Photo Sophie Bates The movie starring Michael B Jordan as twins is about two brothers coming home to Mississippi to launch a juke joint It s also a supernatural vampire flick that blends elements of drama action and music Sinners composer Ludwig G ransson actor Miles Canton and others who worked on the film also attended the screening Anytime that filmmakers take the time out to pay homage to the Delta especially because we re the root of music the blues beliefs that means a lot explained Brandice Brown Williams a theater lecturer who brought two of her students to the screening Related Articles Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in London court Philippou twins refine grisly touch in Bring Her Back Mountainhead Succession creator cleverly skewers tech titans Karate Kid Legends a fun hit of nostalgia Jaws at Robert Shaw biography captures the man behind Quint The film is set in s Clarksdale Mississippi but current day Clarksdale doesn t have a movie theater making it complicated for people to see the film about their hometown District organizers decided to change that starting a petition to invite the cast and crew to Clarksdale and to collaborate on hosting a masses screening The love you have for Southern folk Mississippians and Clarksdale came to life through your commitment to writing us right area organizer Tyler Yarbrough revealed We are ready We are waiting And we would be proud to welcome you back to where it all began During the screening the crowd was expressive in response to various scenes they gasped laughed and cheered Afterward Coogler and others stayed for a Q A One attendee Cindy Hurst praised the film calling it a really good visual representation of the beauty of the Black beliefs