Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Omaha’ Star John Magaro Takes Sundance Audiences for a Ride
Name: John Magaro
Sundance project: “Omaha,” a quiet drama about a father on a mysterious road trip from Utah to Nebraska with his two young children and dog.
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Notable past credits: Magaro stars in historical drama “September 5,” nominated for best film at the Golden Globes earlier this month; he was one of the stars of 2023 Sundance film “Past Lives,” and starred in Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” and “The Big Short.”
”I’ve talked to some parents who’ve seen it already, and they all say the same thing,” says John Magaro of reaction to his new film “Omaha,” a couple days after the premiere. “So many people have been like, ‘I was so devastated, I called my family. I needed to talk to my family right after.'”
Magaro stars in director Cole Webley’s feature debut as a young widowed dad of two children. The family has fallen on hard times: At the start of the film, they get evicted from their home and set out on a roadtrip from Utah to Nebraska. Neither the kids nor the audience know why they’re headed there, but suspicion starts to creep in midway through the film. The quiet film, set primarily on the road, was shot in Salt Lake City with a mostly Utah-based crew.
The actor was last at Sundance in 2023 with breakout hit “Past Lives,” which went on to become a major award season contender.
“It’s early days,” Magaro says of the positive reaction to “Omaha.” “This is my fourth time here now. So I know with films that come here, this is the beginning of a long journey. You have to sell it. Then you have to introduce it to the public. There’s still so far to go. But obviously it’s good to have the initial reaction be so positive.”
Magaro was introduced to Webley through mutual connections, including several directors the actor had worked with on recent projects including “Leroy, Texas,” directed by Webley’s former BYU classmate Shane Atkinson.
Magaro felt a quick affinity for his character after reading Robert Machoian’s script.
”What resonated most with me is that I’m a father. My daughter is almost five years old,” he says. “I think most fathers can relate to that feeling of being desperate and wanting to keep a good facade up to protect your children; doing everything you think that’s in your capability to protect your children. And then the nightmare of potentially losing your children — I mean, that’s most parents’ biggest fear,” he adds. “I obviously have never been pushed to that limit like the dad is in this film, but when you’re a parent you can’t help but think of, god, what if I was in those shoes?”
Much of the film’s power is conveyed in the unspoken moments onscreen, as the trio stops to fly kites at the Bonneville Salt Flats, for lunch at a roadside fast-food restaurant, and at the zoo in Omaha.
“I like directors or writers who are willing to let silence tell the story,” Magaro says. “Where only the things that need to be said are said, and letting everything else play through the silences. I think that’s one of the most magical things about cinema.”
Reflecting on his experience as a Sundance regular, Magaro pointed to the festival’s role as a launchpad for new voices in American cinema.
“So many great auteurs are introduced to the world here at Sundance, and it really is the forefront of what’s happening in American cinema,” he says. “It’s such a joy to be here as an American actor.”
After Sundance, Magaro was headed home to New York for a few days before heading to London for the U.K. premiere of “September 5.” Afterward, he’ll head to Berlin for the premiere of another film, “Köln 75,” about jazz musician Keith Jarrett.
”Probably the most famous jazz pianist of all time,” says Magaro, who plays Jarrett in the film. “He did this concert in Cologne, Germany, in the ’70s that was put together by an 18-year-old girl. It was really difficult, there was a lot of challenges to make it happen. And they put it on, they recorded it, and it is now still the highest selling solo live jazz album of all time.”
From there, he’ll go to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival where he’s being honored at the Virtuoso Awards. He’ll have a short break before going back to begin filming the second season of “The Agency” in April; the season one finale aired just before Sundance.
“It’s been so nice to be here, and hear people who found the series and are really responding to it,” he says. “I’m really excited to see where the show goes.”
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