A new film intertwining the themes of agriculture and the 1993 Green Bay Packers football season is set to premiere next week at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis. Titled “Green and Gold,” the film was shot in northern Wisconsin in 2021, originally titled “God Loves The Green Bay Packers.”
Starring Craig T. Nelson, Brandon Sklenar, and the late M. Emmet Walsh, the film tells the poignant story of an aging dairy farmer in Wisconsin and his granddaughter as they confront the impending loss of their farm. Director Anders Lindwall shared details about the film during an interview on Wisconsin’s Midday News, explaining, “They find out their farm is going under, and they’re trying to save it.”
The connection to the Packers becomes clear as the plot unfolds. Lindwall explained, “The farmer is kind of brokering the deal with the bank to extend the life of his loan if the Packers win the Super Bowl.”
Lindwall and his brother Davin, who co-produced the film, are avid Packers fans, making the opportunity to create this movie a lifelong dream. Securing the involvement of Craig T. Nelson, known for his roles in “Coach” and “Young Sheldon,” was another significant milestone for the filmmakers.
Lindwall recounted their initial encounter with a casting director, saying, “We said we want Craig T. Nelson, and they laughed at us.” Despite initial doubts, the brothers persevered, and the following day, they received an unexpected call from Nelson’s agent. “Craig wants to talk with you,” the casting director informed them. “He read the script last night and was moved by the story.”
Ultimately, Nelson joined the project, with Lindwall noting, “We paid him pennies for what the guy’s worth. We couldn’t have asked for a better person.”
However, the journey was not without its challenges. Two weeks before filming was scheduled to begin, Lindwall received an unexpected call from a major studio expressing interest in purchasing the script. They proposed a significant deal but with one caveat: the film had to be shot in Alabama to take advantage of the state’s film tax credits.
Lindwall reflected on this dilemma: “I went back to my brother and said, ‘It’s a movie about the Green Bay Packers. We gotta turn it down. We have to shoot it up here.’”
Sticking to their roots, the production team filmed in various locations throughout Door County, including The Blue Ox and Florian II Supper Club, and captured scenes in Green Bay with the iconic Lambeau Field as a backdrop.
The film “Green and Gold” is slated for theatrical release in February. To express gratitude to local farmers, the production crew is collaborating with the Green Bay Packers for a unique red-carpet event in January.
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