Sweet Land Trivia Quiz

Answer: Minnesota

"Sweet Land" is based on Will Weaver's 1989 short story "A Gravestone Made of Wheat". It takes place in rural Minnesota. The return address on Olaf's letter to Inge reads "Auburn Township, Becker County, Minnesota". There are several other references to the state during the dialog, including the line that Olaf will have to go "clear to Minneapolis" to get feed. Several characters are created for the film that are not in the original short story.

The film is shot on location in southern Minnesota.

Answer: Germany

Elizabeth Reaser plays Inge Altenburg, a German postal bride who arrives in America to a challenging situation. The residents of the Minnesota farming village, where her betrothed Norwegian immigrant husband Olaf lives, learn that she is a German immigrant with no papers. Elizabeth Reasor was nominated in 2007 for an Independent Spirit Award as "Best Female Lead" for her work in "Sweet Land". Reaser initially resisted having to learn German on such short notice and tried to back out at the audition.

Her agent talked her out of it. She learned her lines phonetically in only four sessions with a dialog coach. In early 2007 she appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" in a recurring guest role as a pregnant woman suffering from amnesia.

Answer: Brownie

In the beginning of the film she introduces herself as Marta but insists she be called Brownie. She is called Brownie throughout the remainder of the film. The British born Alex Kingston recently played Nurse Ratched in the British stage production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

She was part of the cast that won an Emmy in 1994 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for her appearance in "ER".

Answer: Banker

Beatty plays the owner of the bank that forecloses on Frandsen's property, despite the fact that they are third cousins. Beatty also boasts that he owns the grain elevator and the insurance agency, as well as possessing the only steam tractor in the state. Beatty was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Network" in 1976.

He has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe Award. He started acting on stage at age 19. His first credited movie role was with Burt Reynolds in the 1972 film "Deliverance". Coincidentally, Ned Beatty has a summer home in his wife's hometown in Minnesota.

Answer: A phonograph

Inge is holding a large crank style Victrola with the big horn style speaker. The record player becomes a pivotal part of the story, when she and Olaf are dancing to music and get caught by the preacher. She also brings it to the fields when they are harvesting the corn. The Victor Talking Machine Company was founded by Eldridge Johnson in 1901.

Answer: Lutheran

James Cada has the role of the Lutheran minister Thorwald. There are many references to the fact that the congregation is a Lutheran church, including the scene where Frandsen reminds Minister Thorwald that Martin Luthor was German, when the minister publicly denigrates Inge for her German heritage. Thorwald even remarks that Inge makes coffee so strong it wastes coffee beans. Cada's first credited role was as Pavich in 1984's "Wildrose" billed as Jim Cada. Among his other film credits are "Crossing the Bridge", "North Country", "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Joe Somebody".

Answer: Tim Guinee

Olaf is a hard working, second generation, Norwegian immigrant who owns a 100 acre farm. He becomes conflicted between his growing love for Inge and the strict moral standards set by the community and his church. He eventually realizes that Inge is determined to stand by him and reciprocates. Dan Futterman was originally cast as Olaf but had to drop out when his film "Capote" went into production. Futterman recommended Tim Guinee as a replacement. Tim attended the Houston High School for Performing Arts and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

He starred in the vampire movies "Blade" and "Vampires". His television credits include "Law and Order", "Law and Order: Criminal Intent", "L.A. Law", "Spenser: For Hire" and "Stargate SG". Stephen Yoakam plays Einar Torvik. Scottish-born Alan Cumming has the role of Brownie's husband, Frandsen.

Answer: To church

They take Inge directly to the Lutheran church to be wed. Olaf's parents in Norway have arranged the marriage. When the minister learns that she is actually German and has no immigration papers he declares that there will be no wedding. They then take Inge to supper at Harmo's place and finally to Frandsen's house to stay until they can get married.

The movie is shot around Montevideo, Minnesota. Local residents serve as extras in the film and contributed antique cars and farm implements.

Answer: The barn

Olaf resigns himself to sleeping in the barn. He finally moves back into the house after every attempt to lawfully marry Inge fails. Of course, this is scandalous in 1920's Minnesota.

Answer: Keats

When Minister Thorwald recommends that Inge learn English, he starts quoting from Keats' "A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever". Inge recognizes the work and starts reciting it along with the minister. "A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever" is from John Keats' "Book 1 of Endymion". John Keats was one of the principal poets of the English Romantic movement starting in the late 1700s.

His work initially drew criticism, but posthumously he has influenced many other poets.