Grant to preserve 1977 documentary on historical Nonpartisan League

A 1977 documentary dramatization about the Nonpartisan League by filmmaker John Hanson is among the 41 films to be preserved through grants announced recently by the National Film Preservation Foundation. The grants will enable 22 historical societies, archives, librar-ies and museums nationwide to save historically significant American films that would unlikely survive without public support.

“Prairie Fire” is about the grassroots movement begun in 1915 to fight the exploitative practices of Eastern banks and railroads. From North Dakota, the protest spread rapidly throughout the region, eventually receding as the rural economy of the Northern Plains improved during the next decade.

“‘Prairie Fire’ relives North Dakota’s farm revolt of the early 20th century with an immediacy that makes history come alive,” said Ann Jenks, state archivist with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, who worked with Hansen to secure the $17,000 grant. “Thanks to this grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation, we will make sure this groundbreaking independent documentary can be seen for decades to come.” 

The State Historical Society of North Dakota will collaborate with the archive of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to preserve the film.

The NFPF grants fund the creation of a preservation master and two public viewing copies of each film. The awards are made possible through federal funds approved by the Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008.

The NFPF is the nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress in 1997 to help save America’s film heritage.

For the complete list of projects supported by the NFPF, visit its Web site at www.filmpreservation.org.

Tags: nonpartisan league, diversions, film, entertainment, documentary, grant