The movie "Atonement" returned to its filming location in Dallas for a special screening at the Texas Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 20. The event followed international showings in France and Canada.
Director Reed Van Dyk, actor Hiam Abbass, and producer Steven Demmler attended the red carpet event. The free screening was organized through the Screen Dallas program, which is part of the Dallas Film Commission. Many local cast and crew members were also present for the occasion.
Van Dyk described the visit as a return to memories from when the production was in town. He noted that he had not been back since filming wrapped. Abbass, who resides in Paris, expressed surprise at the maturity of the local film infrastructure. She described her time in the city as beautiful and looked forward to seeing how American audiences would interpret the story.
The film is based on a 2012 New Yorker article and centers on a marine attempting to reconcile with an Iraqi family after his unit fired on them in 2003. The cast includes Boyd Holbrook, Abbass, and Kenneth Branagh.
Production took place across Dallas and Jordan last summer. Filming locations included the recently renovated South Side Studios. Demmler’s company, Talon Entertainment, funded those renovations, which helped make the local production possible. Demmler recalled driving around the DFW area to find suitable spots for Van Dyk, who was particular about his choices.
