'The Overnighters' follows a 'Steinbeckian' story of people flocking to North Dakota during the current oil boom. The documentary focuses on the lives of the people living in squalor, desperate for work, and a local pastor who is trying to help them. Directed by Jesse Moss, the film has been called a 'modern day Grapes of Wrath' by critics for its shocking insight into the lives of everyday American citizens, scraping by in the oil industry. It explores, in vivid detail, the effects of the pressures of modern life and those of the communities effected - both pre-existing and brand new. It leads to the overwhelming question of 'what is a community?' in this beautiful snapshot of a period in American history.
The film has so far received rave reviews from critics and been awarded the 'U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement for Intuitive Filmmaking' at the Sundance Film Festival. It also was nominated for 'U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary' at the festival, but lost to 'Rich Hill'. Other awards include 'Miami's Knight Documentary Award' from the Miami International Film Festival and the 'Full Frame Inspiration Award' from the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in North Carolina.