‘Train Dreams’ is nominated for 4 Oscars. See where it was filmed in Washington
A critically acclaimed movie that’s up for multiple Oscars has a special connection to Washington state.
“Train Dreams” will be competing against “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another” and other films in the 98th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15.
Set in the Pacific Northwest, “Train Dreams” was filmed in locations throughout Washington state.
Here’s what to know:
What is the movie ‘Train Dreams’ about?
Based on the novella of the same name by Denis Johnson, “Train Dreams” stars Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker whose “life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America,” according to the the film’s official description.
“When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled,” the description reads.
Clint Bentley directed “Train Dreams” and co-wrote its screenplay with Greg Kwedar.
The rest of the cast includes Felicity Jones, William H. Macy and Kerry Condon.
“Train Dreams” was released in theaters and on Netflix in November.
“It’s a really special story, and it feels very unique in that it is just about this one person’s life. This very simple life,” Bentley told Tudum, Netflix’s official companion site, in January. “Robert Grainier doesn’t do anything that really alters the course of history — he doesn’t fight in some great battle or create some invention that changes people’s lives, and yet he lives a very deep and rich life.”
‘Train Dreams’ nominated for 4 Oscars, including best picture
“Train Dreams” is nominated for Academy Awards in four categories, including best picture.
Cinematographer Adolpho Veloso earned an Oscar nomination, while Bentley and Kwedar shared a nomination for best adapted screenplay.
The movie also earned an Academy Award nomination for the song “Train Dreams,” written by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner.
“Train Dreams” has attracted plenty of awards attention this season, including two Golden Globe Awards nomination and three Film Independent Spirit Awards wins.
Where was award-winning movie filmed in Washington?
“Train Dreams” was filmed in King, Pend d’Oreille, Pierce, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties in Washington state, according to Sherrye Wyatt, rural economic development manager for Washington Filmworks.
The nonprofit organization aims to strengthen Washington state’s film industry by “advancing economic development, building career pathways and connecting communities to opportunity.” That includes offering competitive cash-back incentives for movie, television and commercial productions filming in Washington state.
“Train Dreams is a love letter to WA locations,” Wyatt told McClatchy Media via email.
Wyatt said the production, which reportedly had a $10 million budget, created 425 jobs for Washington residents and spent money with more than 850 Washington businesses across 22 counties.
According to The Inlander, an independently weekly newspaper in Spokane, “Train Dream” filming locations in Eastern Washington included downtown Spokane, Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend and the town of Metaline Falls.
Other key spots included the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Museum and St. Michael’s Mission Chapel in Spokane, The Inlander reported in December.
Where can I watch ‘Train Dreams’?
‘Train Dreams’ can be streamed on Netflix.