Sure, Rhode Island is far from the sunshine and stars of Hollywood, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t had a great deal of movies filmed on our turf – we’ve had dramas like “Meet Joe Black,” Farrelly brothers’ comedies like “Me, Myself and Irene” and kids’ movies like “Underdog.”

In 2011, “Moonrise Kingdom,” which grossed roughly $65 million worldwide, spent time filming at various locations across the state. Local actors were used on set and LDI Casting, under the leadership of Anne Mulhall, was hard at work making sure local talent made its way to the silver screen.

The film did well when it opened in the spring, but as of late, it’s been getting a lot of major attention and acclaim. Today the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, getting the acclaimed nomination alongside films like “Django Unchained” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”  The Academy Awards will air on Feb. 24 on ABC at 8:30 p.m., and will be hosted by Rhode Island’s own Seth McFarlane, best known for creating the hit animated series “Family Guy.”

“Moonrise Kingdom,” penned by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, was also chosen as the opening night premiere for the Cannes Film Festival in France and received a Best Picture nod from the Independent Spirit Awards, which are dedicated to indie films.

Earlier this month, the American Film Institute placed “Moonrise Kingdom” on its prestigious list of the Top Ten Films of 2012. The ten films will be honored formally at a luncheon tomorrow in Los Angeles.
 

On Dec. 13, the Hollywood foreign press announced that “Moonrise Kingdom” was a nominee for “Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical” at the Golden Globes. Other nominees include the film adaptation of the Broadway hit “Les Miserables” and the dark rom-com “Silver Lining Playbook.” The Golden Globes will air on Sunday.

Steven Feinberg, Director of the Rhode Island Film and TV Office, said that “Moonrise Kingdom” was a “perfect collaboration” between dedicated Rhode Islanders and filmmaker Wes Anderson, who wrote and directed the movie.  He said the popularity of the film, which centers on a pair of young, runaway lovers in New England, has shone a positive light on the Ocean State.

“The RI Film and TV Office has received numerous inquiries about the specific ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ locations as sightseeing destinations from many out of state visitors and we've fielded a variety of requests from several national and international journalists who are spotlighting the popular film's locations,” said Feinberg in a statement to WPRO. “In addition, when you have a proven success like ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ and someone of Wes Anderson's caliber touting the working relationship between filmmaker and the state of Rhode Island, it instantly builds up our credibility to a sea of talented filmmakers and financiers searching for their next home to make movie magic.“

Feinberg said the Film and TV Office, with support from the Governor and General Assembly, is working to grow the film and television industry locally.

“We are dedicated to… providing diverse opportunities for our many talented, hard-working Rhode Island citizens eager to build a brighter future in our beloved Ocean State,” he said.

“Moonrise Kingdom” is now available at local libraries, as well as online and on DVD.
 

Kim Kalunian
An award-winning journalist and theater critic - and a performer at heart. Kim's talents have taken her from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NY, to stages in Boston and Providence's own Trinity Repertory.