Jasper Mall (film)

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Jasper Mall
Jasper mall (poster).jpg
Film poster
Directed by
  • Bradford Thomason
  • Brett Whitcomb
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release dates
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Jasper Mall is a 2020 documentary film directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. It revolves around the Jasper Mall, a dying mall in Jasper, Alabama.[1]

Synopsis[]

The film often revolves around Mike McClelland, a former zookeeper, who serves as the mall's superintendent and works in a security and caretaking role.[2] The mall, which opened in 1981, has recently lost two of its anchors, Kmart and JCPenney.[3] As a result, foot traffic has declined and the parking lot is often barren.[2] The only remaining anchor store is Belk and according to one shopper, “If Belk goes, we are in deep woo-woo.”[3]

The film also follows the day-to-day operations of the remaining 20 or so store owners with a focus on the slowdown of customers.[2] The mall's frequent visitors including groups of mall walkers and domino players are also frequently shown.[3] Also chronicled are events hosted by the mall such as a carnival, visits from Santa Claus and an ensemble of singers.[4]

Towards the end of the film, more shops including Subway, Grady's Sandwich Shop, Robin's Nest Flowers & Gifts and Jewelry Doctor all close or move.[3][5]

Release[]

Jasper Mall premiered at January 27, 2020 at the Slamdance Film Festival and to the general public on June 23, 2020.[6]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

On Rotten Tomatoes 86% of seven reviews of the film were positive, with an average critic rating of 7.5/10.[7]

Ethan Brehm of SPOILER Magazine named it the best film of the year.[8]

Production[]

Jasper Mall was co-directed and co-produced by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. Cinematography was also directed by Whitcomb.[4] The Jasper Mall was chosen as the site of the film because it had not been remodeled since it opened in 1981.[4] The film was shot throughout 2018 and McClelland would alert the directors about any events that were occurring at the mall. Thomason and Whitcomb would often sit in the food court and wait for a scene to develop.[4] The soundtrack contains a collection of songs by the musicians HAHA Mart, Chayse Porter, and Baker Knight. The soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette via the Alabama-based independent record label Earth Libraries.

Awards[]

The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and won the Best Alabama Film award at the Sidewalk Film Festival.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ Film Threat
  2. ^ a b c Wake, Matt (2020-06-28). "Alabama shopping mall subject of new documentary film". AL.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  3. ^ a b c d Urbanski, Al (2020-06-30). "'Jasper Mall' presents the last act of a small town mall". Chain Store Age. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  4. ^ a b c d Yeager, Andrew (18 August 2020). "A Year In The Life Of A Dying Alabama Mall". WBHM. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  5. ^ Adrian, Nick (22 July 2020). "Jasper Mall". Cinnecentric. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  6. ^ Smith, Nicole (2020-06-23). "Documentary on Jasper Mall to be released Tuesday". Daily Mountain Eagle. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  7. ^ "Jasper Mall (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Ethan Brehm (February 2021). "Spoiler Magazine's Top 10 Movies of 2020". Spoiler Magazine. p. 199. Retrieved February 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "ANNOUNCING OUR 2020 SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL AT THE DRIVE-IN AWARD WINNERS!". Sidewalk Film Festival. September 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-17.

External links[]

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