The Minnesotans Who Wanted to Be in "Purple Rain"

"By the dawn of the nineteen-eighties, Tom Arndt sensed a new kind of patriotism emerging, distinct from the anti-Vietnam protests of his generation, characterized by a bold 'God Bless America.'"

"The casting call for 'Purple Rain' drew crowds of hopefuls, all eager to secure an extra role in a film that would soon elevate Prince to a national obsession."

"Arndt's photographic journey led him to document a wide array of American lives, from farmers to Holocaust survivors, reflecting the diverse tapestry of the nation."

In 1983, photographer Tom Arndt was immersed in a project documenting American culture. He perceived a shift in patriotism during the early 1980s. Arndt traveled to photograph significant events and returned to the Midwest to capture diverse lives. He learned about a casting call for Prince's movie 'Purple Rain' in Bloomington, Minnesota, and attended with his cameras. The casting call attracted many hopefuls seeking roles in the film, which would later elevate Prince to national prominence and transform him into a cultural icon.

Read at The New Yorker