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Midwest Members Screen Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest

June 25, 2015

A Chicago Coordinating Committee Event

On June 24, the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee hosted a special screening of Director John McNaughton’s psychological horror thriller The Harvest at the Showplace Icon Theater in Chicago, followed by a Q&A and reception.

McNaughton's film tells the story of a couple (Samantha Morton and Michael Shannon) who try to keep their bedridden, home-schooled son Andy (Charlie Tahan) in a secluded environment in upstate New York in hopes that he will recover from his illness. This carefully plotted existence is challenged when a recently transplanted young girl named Maryann (Natasha Calis) strikes up a friendship with Andy after moving into the neighborhood. As the teens grow closer, the tight-knit world his over-protective mother has created begins to unravel and she is willing to resort to extreme measures in order to do what she feels is best for her son. The Harvest was nominated for the “Audience Choice Award” at the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival.

Following introductions and a few comments about the work of the Chicago Coordinating Committee by Co-Chair Jef Kos, McNaughton spoke about the making of The Harvest in a conversation moderated by Director Joe Chappelle (Chicago Fire).

In addition to The Harvest, McNaughton’s work includes the feature films Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Mad Dog & Glory and Wild Things; the documentaries Condo Painting and Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll; the movies for television Lansky, Expert Witness and Girls in Prison; the pilot for the series Push, Nevada; and episodes of the series Without a Trace, Masters of Horror and Homicide: Life on the Streets. The current Co-Chair of the Chicago Coordinating Committee, McNaughton has been a member of the DGA since 1991.

 

About the Committee:

The Chicago Coordinating Committee was formed in the mid-1960s to coordinate Guild activities in the Midwestern Area.

Pictures & Video

photos by Jeff Kash, print courtesy of IFC

View slideshow
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: McNaughton used a memorable line from Apocalypse Now as a device to explore the actions of Samantha Morton's character.
Watch Highlight
Hurricane Sandy threw the rehearsal and pre-production schedule of the New York-based production completely into havoc.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director John McNaughton discusses the tight shooting schedule working with 2 child actors and star Michael Shannon.
Chicago Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs Jef Kos  and John McNaughton and Director Joe Chappelle (moderator) at the reception following the Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of McNaughton’s The Harvest.
DGA Special Assignments Executive Mike Ryan welcomes everyone to the event.
Chicago Coordinating Committee Co-Chair Jef Kos speaks about the work of the committee and introduces the panelists.
Director John McNaughton speaks about the making of The Harvest following the DGA screening in Chicago.
Michael Shannon, Charlie Tahan and Samantha Morton in Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
Director John McNaughton discusses the making of his thriller The Harvest with Director Joe Chappelle (moderator) following the DGA screening in Chicago.
Charlie Tahan and Natasha Calis in Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
The audience hears about the making of Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest following the following the DGA screening in Chicago.
Samantha Morton in Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
Director Joe Chappelle (moderator) asks Director John McNaughton about the making of The Harvest.
A member of the audience asks Director John McNaughton a question about the making of The Harvest following the following the DGA screening in Chicago.
DGA members and guests enjoy the reception following the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
Director John McNaughton chats with audience members at the reception following the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of his feature The Harvest.
Chicago Coordinating Committee Co-Chair Jef Kos chats with audience members at the reception following the DGA screening of Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
DGA members and guests enjoy the reception following the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
DGA members and guests enjoy the reception following the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of Director John McNaughton’s The Harvest.
Members chat with DGA Special Assignments Executive Mike Ryan at the reception following the DGA Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of Director John McNaughton’ documentary The Harvest.
Chicago Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs Jef Kos and John McNaughton, Director Joe Chappelle (moderator) and CCC Special Events Sub-Committee Chair Phil Koch at the reception following the Chicago Coordinating Committee screening of McNaughton’s The Harvest.

Calendar

8/7/2025 - 8/13/2025

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