PRAIRIE TRILOGY | PRAIRIE FIRE 

The first film in The Prairie Trilogy revisits the founding of the Nonpartisan League in 1916, a socialist organization that united farmers in North Dakota to combat economic exploitation by predatory capitalists and politicians. Told through the powerful narration of Henry Martinson, a 97-year-old poet, organizer, and lifelong Socialist, the film incorporates historical photographs and footage shot by Nilsson’s grandfather, Frithjof Holmboe. Prairie Fire vividly portrays the early radical prairie movement and its enduring relevance in the fight for economic justice.

“Moving and still pertinent depictions of the human realities that animate labor struggles.” – Glenn Kenny, New York Times

Directed by

John Hanson

Rob Nilsson

Cast

Eugene Corr Eugene Corr ... Speaker (voice) (as Gene Corr)

Dan Leegant Dan Leegant ... Speaker (voice)

Henry Martinson Henry Martinson ... Narrator

Music by

David Ozzie Ahlers

Cinematography by

Frithjof Holmboe ... (archival cinematography)

Production Management

Marlena Weinstein ... production manager

Sound Department

Jennifer Chinlund ... sound editor

Joan Musante ... effects recording

Camera and Electrical Department

Judy Irola ... addition photography

Music Department

David Ozzie Ahlers ... pump organ (as Ozzie Ahlers)

Jim Rothermel ... woodwinds

Tim Rued ... key fiddle

David Schickele ... viola