The Laramie Project (2002)

About The Laramie Project

The Laramie Project is a 2002 drama film that chronicles the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It's based on hundreds of interviews conducted by members of the Tectonic Theater Project, and follows their journey as they gather a wide range of perspectives on Shepard’s death and its impact on the local community.

Making / Production

The film is based on the play of the same name, both of which were created by the Tectonic Theater Project. Moisés Kaufman directed and adapted the film, staying faithful to the innovative format of the play, which presents the words of Laramie residents verbatim.

Actors

• Peter Fonda: Played the role of Doctor Cantway. He delivered a powerful and emotional performance, capturing the essence of a professional dealing with the horrifying realities of a hate crime.
• Laura Linney: Portrayed the character of Sherry Johnson, a Laramie resident. Linney skilfully built an emotional connection with the audience through her authentic portrayal of an individual struggling to reconcile the events.
• Christina Ricci: Played Romaine Patterson, a close friend of Matthew Shepard. She brought vulnerability and strength to her role, representing the grief and determination of those personally impacted by Matthew's death.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot in the actual locations where events took place.
• The members of the Tectonic Theater Project conducted over 200 interviews with the people of Laramie over a span of two years.
• Although the film includes several real public figures, some characters are composites of several individuals interviewed for the project.

Awards

The Laramie Project received several nominations, including four Emmy nominations. The film's sound mixer, Lee Dichter, was nominated for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie.

Quotes

• "Hate is not a Laramie value."
• "We must not be defined by the murder of Matthew, but by our response."

Music, Soundtrack

• The original music for the movie was composed by Peter Golub. His score added to the emotional impact of the film, enhancing the storytelling with subtle, evocative melodies.