Storm Lake
Available to stream: March 31, 2023 12:00 am - April 3, 2023 12:00 am ET

STORM LAKE

A film by Jerry Risius and Beth Levison
Presented by Knock
About the Film

Synopsis

Dark clouds hang over the cornfields of Storm Lake, Iowa, which has seen its fair share of change in the 40 years since Big Agriculture came to town. Farmers blow their life savings on new equipment they hope will keep their livelihoods intact. Migrant workers flock here—welcome and not—for their slice of the American Dream. The people of Storm Lake confront a changing community as global forces threaten their precarious existence. Enter: 63-year-old Pulitzer-prize winner Art Cullen and his family-run newspaper, The Storm Lake Times. Day-in and day-out, the Cullens deliver local news and biting editorials on a shoestring budget for their 3,000 readers. Come hell or pandemic, they’ll fight to preserve this town they call home. There’s simply too much at stake.

Press

“Fascinating! A portrait of American resilience and unity.” – David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

Storm Lake provides a penetrating, insider look at the struggle of a family-owned-and-operated newspaper trying to remain relevant, survive, and thrive in the age of journalism-by-the-algorithms, Trumpism, and COVID-19.” – Ed Rampell, The Progressive

“Gorgeous establishing shots, great music, and fantastic narration, all of which blend together, allowing Beth Levison and Jerry Risius to tell the true tale of Storm Lake, Iowa.” – Liam Trump, Film Threat

Storm Lake is a must watch to see what it takes to survive in this era and why newspapers are still important even in this internet age.” – Joe Corey, InsidePulse