Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 10/6/09 Section: Movies

Media Credit: Nate Brennan

Minneapolis rolled out the red carpet Thursday to introduce the world to "Nobody."

Executive produced by Josh Hartnett and directed by "40 Days and 40 Nights" writer Rob Perez, the world premiere of "Nobody" had Minneapolis residents and movie-lovers of all kinds in a frenzy.

Minnesota State had it's own spot on the red carpet in anticipation of Hartnett, Perez, leading man Sam Rosen and his fellow cast members. The Reporter was the only college publication in attendance to get the scoop on this up-and-coming film sure to get a nationwide release following its limited release at Minneapolis' Kerasotes Block E Theatre.

While Hartnett tried his best to keep the spotlight off himself and on the film's cast and crew most of the night, roaring cheers came from teenage girls and middle-aged men alike when he hit the red carpet in a very urban-casual ensemble. In his attempt to keep the enthusiasm toward the cast and crew, Hartnett quickly strode down the red carpet and into the theatre.

Although the rain forced the red carpet ceremony to be moved inside, the spirits of everyone in attendance weren't any less enthusiastic.

"I'm kind of freaking out," said Rosen, who was all smiles throughout the night. "I'm glad my first real red carpet is here in Minneapolis and I have all my family here."

"I'm just super excited, the rain came out hard, but it's just a part of Minnesota and we're all embracing it," said Perez.

The city's weather wasn't the only thing the cast and crew were embracing, however. The film revolves around Rosen's character Lindeman's interaction with eight fellow Minneapolis College of Art and Design students and other artist-like characters, a character type the film lovingly teases.

"The film doesn't just poke fun at [the pretention of artists], but embraces it," said Beth Riesgraf (Edie), who currently stars in the TNT series "Leverage."

"It was very interesting to interact with the MCAD environment," said Nathan Shrake, who portrayed high-school artist PK in the film. "It was a fun persona to take on."

The cast seemed to be in agreement that the film was fun to make and is a great portrayal of Minnesota that will connect with audiences no matter their location.

"People are going to love this movie," said Rosen. "For me it's a departure from my earlier stuff (Rosen was recently in 'Revolutionary Road') and it's a super fun, completely enjoyable film."

"It was a great group and a nice team effort," said Emily Gunyou Halaas (Margaret), a veteran Minneapolitan actress who recently won the Ivey's 2009 Emerging Artist Award.

"You always hear people talked about ensembles in television and movies, but in this case, most of us knew each other and all of us did get along really well," said Ryan Lindberg (Zach), who recently earned rave reviews for his one man, one penguin puppet show Squawk at this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival.

The world premiere packed the Hennepin Theatre District's State Theatre with audience members of all ages. Perez quickly took the stage and invited Hartnett, co-writer Ryan Miller and the central cast to join him while he spoke to the crowd about the film and the process of making it, which involved most of the cast staying at Hartnett's Twin Cities home.

Perez then showed a humorous short film where the cast "thanked" Hartnett for allowing them to stay at his house with anecdotes involving acquiring rashes, getting too intoxicated, doing embarrassing acts and breaking household objects.

Nate Brennan is the Reporter variety editor

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