Iowa

Ethan Hawke praises Iowa Writers’ Workshop in interview about alum Flannery O’Connor movie

Published

1 year ago

June 15, 2024

Press Room

Ethan Hawke praises Iowa Writers’ Workshop in interview about alum Flannery O’Connor movie

Actor Ethan Hawke praised the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in an interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert in May.

Hawke, who has starred in movies including “Before Sunrise,” “Training Day,” and “Boyhood,” is the director of “Wildcat,” a new film that depicts renowned author Flannery O’Connor. “Wildcat” is also the title of one of O’Connor’s works. Hawke’s daughter and “Stranger Things” actress Maya Hawke stars as O’Connor.

He was a guest on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last month to discuss the new movie.

O’Connor was described by the New York Times as one of “the nation’s most promising writers” upon her death in 1964 at 39-years-old. She wrote short stories and novels including, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” “Wise Blood” and “Everything That Rises Must Converge.”

She attended the University of Iowa from 1945 to 1947, first pursuing journalism and was later accepted into the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, according to Lit City. O’Connor spent another year in Iowa City after she obtained her master’s degree.

What does Ethan Hawke say about the Iowa Writers’ Program?

Hawke explained a clip from “Wildcat” that Colbert was about to play and described O’Connor as a devout young woman at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

“Which is one of the most stunning,” Hawke began, pausing as some applause could be heard from the audience. “Yes, yes, let’s hear it for Iowa.”

“The writers that came out of this program, Wikipedia it, it will blow you away,” he said. “They change the way we think, this community of people.”

Hawke was introduced to O’Connor’s work through his mother, “trying to provoke” his inner feminist while he read male authors such as Jack Kerouac and Ernest Hemingway.

“She’s trying to get you to read something good,” Colbert quipped.

Hawke described to Colbert how his daughter approached him with interest about O’Connor’s work and discussed the author’s thought-provoking writing.

“Wildcat” marks Hawke’s first time directing his daughter. The film received a theatrical release in May.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

Source link

Click to comment

Iowa

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren joins growing 2nd District GOP field

Published

4 days ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren joins growing 2nd District GOP field

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, announced her run for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District Tuesday, joining a growing field of Republicans aiming to take the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. In a social media post Tuesday morning, Lundgren announced her U.S. House campaign, kicking off by stating her early support for President Donald […]

Source link

Iowa

Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson launches campaign for U.S. Senate

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

Press Room

Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson launches campaign for U.S. Senate

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson officially launched her campaign for U.S. Senate at the Radisson Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Sunday.

“In the Senate, I will fight to make America look more like Iowa,” Hinson said. “Here, we know the difference between boys and girls. We know that families deserve to keep more of what they earn, and we know the people, not the government, always come first,” she said.

Right now, Ashley Hinson represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in Congress.

She’s running to replace Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who announced earlier this month she would not run for re-election.

“Ashley Hinson gives me hope. Someone that I know fights for me. Someone that has my back. And somebody that will have your back,” the Jones County Sheriff, Greg Graveler said about Hinson.

Hinson told Sunday’s crowd she wants to keep deporting illegal immigrants, cut taxes, and defend farmers in agriculture.

She also addressed Democrats who she said may consider her an extremist.

“If it’s extreme to want parents in charge of our kids’ education, if it’s extreme to want safe borders and safe streets, if it’s extreme to believe that there are only two genders, then they can go ahead and call me whatever they want,” Hinson said.

While Hinson will face plenty of competition for the Senate spot from other Republicans and Democrats, she said she’s confident in her campaign.

“We can only deliver on these critical wins, and make America safer and stronger for a generation to come if we win this seat. Or correction – when we win this seat,” Hinson said.

Source link