"From Forgotten Lives to Oscar Nominations: Train Dreams Redefines Independent Filmmaking"

    From Sing Sing to Sundance: Bentley and Kwedar Debut Joel Edgerton-Led Train Dreams
 

Train Dreams: A Quiet Story with a Profound Impact

Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar are having a week to remember. The duo behind the acclaimed films Jockey and Sing Sing are gearing up for the Sundance Film Festival premiere of their latest project, Train Dreams, just days after snagging their first Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Bentley says with a smile, referring to their whirlwind schedule and a cascade of exciting news. “Honestly, it’s been nice to stay focused on work instead of getting too caught up in the awards buzz.”

A Story Rooted in Simplicity and Depth

Train Dreams is based on Denis Johnson’s Pulitzer finalist novella. It tells the story of Robert Grainier, a laborer in early 20th-century Idaho and Washington. Grainier quietly builds railroads and works logging camps as the region transforms around him. Despite its brevity—the book spans just 117 pages—the story covers decades, chronicling the Westward Expansion, the tragic loss of Grainier’s wife and daughter, and his journey into the 1960s.

The star-studded cast includes Joel Edgerton, Kerry Condon, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy, and Clifton Collins Jr. For Bentley and Kwedar, the film represents their most ambitious project yet. While maintaining the grounded, intimate storytelling that’s become their trademark, Train Dreams expands their scope, bringing to life three decades of one man’s quiet yet impactful existence.

Capturing the Essence of an Era

“I wanted to capture the essence of people from a specific time, especially men of that era,” Bentley explains. He grew up on a cattle ranch in northeastern Florida, surrounded by stoic figures. “My grandfather’s generation—and even my dad’s—didn’t really have the words to express their feelings, whether it was joy or grief. But that didn’t mean they didn’t feel things deeply.”

Edgerton, who plays Grainier, seemed like a natural choice to embody this mix of rugged masculinity and vulnerability. “I relate to Grainier’s quiet nature,” Edgerton says. “He had dreams and ideas, but he always felt like the ceiling was too low for him to reach them, like his choices were limited. That sense of restraint really struck a chord with me.”

Shining a Light on Forgotten Lives

Typically, historical films focus on larger-than-life figures—titans of industry or cultural icons. Bentley wanted to do the opposite. “This is about celebrating an ordinary life, even in a quiet way,” he says. “History books are filled with big movements like Westward Expansion, but what about the everyday people—Joe, Chen, or Amy—who lived through those times? Their lives were rich and meaningful, even if they were forgotten.”

To fully immerse themselves in the world of Train Dreams, Bentley and Kwedar traveled to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where the book is set. They drove through dense forests while listening to the audiobook and even hired a naturalist to help them understand the landscape. They also visited logging camps, often striking up conversations with locals in bars to gain access.

Scaling Up Without Losing the Indie Spirit

The production itself was a significant step up from their earlier films. While Jockey was made on a shoestring budget of less than $400,000, Train Dreams had the resources to pull off larger-scale shots. The crew filmed in active logging forests, captured scenes of trees crashing to the ground, and even built a log cabin along a riverbank. But despite the bigger budget, Bentley says the filmmaking process retained its indie spirit.

“It still felt like Clint was sneaking away with just a camera and a couple of actors,” Kwedar says, recalling his visit to the Spokane set.

Humanity’s Fragile Relationship with Nature

The film also explores humanity’s fragile relationship with nature. Bentley reflects, “We like to think we’re in control—we can adjust the temperature in our homes at the push of a button. But the truth is, we’re incredibly vulnerable.”

This theme takes center stage when a wildfire destroys Grainier’s cabin and his family goes missing. Art eerily mirrored life during production. A wildfire broke out near Spokane as the crew prepared to wrap filming, a grim reminder of the story’s resonance.

Set against the backdrop of historic wildfires from the early 1920s, Train Dreams premieres at Sundance while modern wildfires continue to wreak havoc across California, destroying thousands of homes and claiming lives.

Timeless Themes in a Modern Context

“There’s so much about this story that, despite being set in the past, feels incredibly relevant to our world today,” Bentley says.

As they celebrate their accomplishments, Bentley and Kwedar are proving that even the quietest stories can have a profound impact.