The Dirty South (film)
{{Short description|2023 film by Matthew Yerby}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Dirty_south_2023_poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Release poster
| director = Matthew Yerby
| writer = Matthew Yerby
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Andrew Vogel
- Suzann Toni Petrongolo
- Matthew Yerby
- Todd Slater
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Jess Dunlap
| editing = Laurent Dupepe
| music = Tyler Forrest
| studio = VP Independent
| distributor = Cineverse
| released = {{Film date|2023|10|12|Chelsea Film Festival|2023|11|10}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $1 million
| gross =
}}
The Dirty South is a 2023 crime thriller film starring Willa Holland, Shane West and Dermot Mulroney. It was written and directed by Matthew Yerby in his writing and directorial debut.
The film premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival on October 12, and was released theatrically by Cineverse and digitally on November 10, 2023.
Premise
Sue Parker is thrust into a desperate struggle to rescue her family's failing business, teetering on the edge of ruin due to her father's negligence. With the arrival of a charming wanderer, she sees him as their sole hope to help prevent their bar from being seized by the merciless local tycoon. However, her seemingly simple plan soon leads to larceny and lawlessness, with deadly consequences
Cast
- Willa Holland as Sue Parker
- Shane West as Dion
- Wayne Péré as Gary Parker
- Andrew Vogel as Mark Roy
- Suzann Toni Petrongolo as Donna
- Billy Hayes as Daryl Roy
- Caleb Quinney as Jacob Parker
- Gissette Valentin as Jaqueline
- Laura Cayouette as Jo Ann Roy
- Mike Manning as Eric
- Dermot Mulroney as Jeb Roy
Production
In December 2022, it was reported that Dermot Mulroney, Willa Holland and Shane West was set to star in a Matthew Yerby written and directed film, The Dirty South. Yerby wrote the script in 2018, based on the small-town lifestyle he grew up with in Natchitoches, Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=2022-12-16 |title=Willa Holland, Shane West, Dermot Mulroney To Star In Matthew Yerby Film The Dirty South |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/willa-holland-shane-west-and-dermot-mulroney-to-star-in-matthew-yerby-1235200823/ |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629161810/https://deadline.com/2022/12/willa-holland-shane-west-and-dermot-mulroney-to-star-in-matthew-yerby-1235200823/ |url-status=live }} The original script had the film take place in summer months, but the day before filming Yerby changed the story because of the cold weather. He used the opportunity to write in the Christmas festival and its fireworks display.
On an estimated budget of $1 million, principal photography took place in late 2022 in Natchitoches, Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Poole |first=Corey |date=2022-12-07 |title=Coffee with Corey: Filming a Movie in Natchitoches |url=https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2022/12/07/coffee-with-corey-filming-a-movie-in-natchitoches/ |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=The Natchitoches Parish Journal |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629161810/https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2022/12/07/coffee-with-corey-filming-a-movie-in-natchitoches/ |url-status=live }}
Release
In June 2023, Cineverse acquired all United States distribution rights.{{Cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=2023-06-29 |title=Cineverse Acquires Bayou Western The Dirty South Starring Dermot Mulroney, Willa Holland And Shane West |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/cineverse-acquires-bayou-western-the-dirty-south-dermot-mulroney-willa-holland-shane-west-1235426940/ |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629161810/https://deadline.com/2023/06/cineverse-acquires-bayou-western-the-dirty-south-dermot-mulroney-willa-holland-shane-west-1235426940/ |url-status=live }}
The Dirty South premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival on October 12, 2023, where Jess Dunlap won the Best Cinematography award.{{Cite web|title=CFF 2023 Winners|url=https://chelseafilm.org/cff-2023-winners/|access-date=2023-10-19|website=Chelsea Film Festival|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20231019131009/https://chelseafilm.org/cff-2023-winners/|archive-date=October 19, 2023|url-status=live}} It was released in theaters and digitally on November 10, 2023.{{Cite web |title=The Dirty South|url=https://chelseafilm.org/the-dirty-south/ |website=Chelsea Film Festival|access-date=2023-10-04}}{{Cite web |last=Massoto |first=Erick |date=2023-10-04 |title=Willa Holland and Dermot Mulroney Face Off in First The Dirty South Trailer [Exclusive] |url=https://collider.com/dermot-mulroney-dirty-south-trailer/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Collider}}
Reception
{{expand section|Please add critical reviews|date=January 2024}}
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 8 critics' reviews are positive.{{Cite web |title=The Dirty South |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_dirty_south |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dirty South, The}}
Category:American Western (genre) films
Category:American crime thriller films
Category:American action thriller films
Category:Films shot in Louisiana