Hockeyland

Northern Minnesota is felt in the bones—the deep chill of winter, the toll of a day in the mine, bruises from the hockey rink. This unforgiving country has forged an identity through a tradition of grit. But times they are a changin’ and the modern world comes with new expectations. Facing down an uncertain future, senior boys in rival towns—one emerging dynasty, one with a fabled past—skate for a last chance to etch their names into local lore. In America’s far reaches, a portrait of young men in transition. This is Hockeyland.

Director – Tommy Haines
Producers – JT Haines, Andrew Sherburne, Tommy Haines; Executive Producer – Carson Kipfer
Director of Photography – Ben Handler; Contributing Producer – Eric Dayton

HOCKEYLAND from Northland Films on Vimeo.

 

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

WORLD PREMIERE – DOC NYC – New York, NY – November 13, 2021
St. Louis International Film Festival – Nov 20, 2021
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, February 20, 2022
Seattle International Film Festival, April 14, 2022
Milwaukee International Film Festival, April 28, 2022
RiverRun International Film Festival, April 29, 2022

CRITICAL RECEPTION

2022 Critics Choice “BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY” nominee

 “A MUST-SEE. RAW & BRUTALLY ABSORBING”
– David Ehrlich, IndieWire

“BEST TO WATCH IN FRONT OF A FIRE.”
– Dave Caldwell, The Guardian

“THIS FILM IS A WINNER”
“Haines’ approach draws viewers in, and makes them care about these kids”
– Gary Kramer, MovieJawn

“A FASCINATING LOOK AT MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY.”
Greg Wyshynski, ESPN

“FRIDAY NIGHT ICE”
Kyle Osborne, Entertainment of Die

“HOCKEYLAND CAPTURES A WAY OF LIFE LIKE NO OTHER.”
Alex Mitchell, NY Post

“A surprisingly intimate documentary…extraordinary access to the candid players and their families and the close-up, in-game action is thrilling.”
Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune

“It’s a truly brilliant & passionate documentary about so much more than ice hockey!”
Dan Doody, Seattle Int. Film Festival Programmer

“Hockeyland is one of those documentaries that sets the bar for others. It’s not the only game in town, but it’s definitely one of the best!”
Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal

“Truly amazing documentary. A++++++.”
Vintage MN Hockey

 

 

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