# Fargo

> 1996 film directed by Ethan and Joel Coen

**Wikidata**: [Q222720](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q222720)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fargo_(1996_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fargo

## Summary
Fargo is a 1996 film directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, blending crime, black comedy, and thriller elements. It won Academy Awards for Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best Original Screenplay (Coen brothers). The film is recognized for its dark humor, intricate plot, and critical acclaim, earning preservation in the National Film Registry.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Ethan and Joel Coen (the Coen brothers).
- Released on March 8, 1996 (U.S.), November 14, 1996 (UK), and 1996 generally.
- Produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Working Title Films.
- Genres: crime film, drama film, neo-noir, black comedy film, thriller film, comedy film, action film, mystery film, film noir, comedy drama.
- Won Academy Award for Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Coen brothers).
- Received awards from London Film Critics Circle, New York Film Critics Circle, National Board of Review, and Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association.
- Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (U.S. Library of Congress).
- Sitelink count: 61; Wikipedia title: *Fargo* (1996 film).
- Associated countries: United States (production) and United Kingdom (production companies).

## FAQs
- **Who directed Fargo?**  
  The film was directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, collectively known as the Coen brothers.  

- **What genres does Fargo belong to?**  
  It is classified as a crime film, drama, neo-noir, black comedy, thriller, and comedy drama, among others.  

- **What major awards did Fargo win?**  
  It won Academy Awards for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay, along with accolades from critics’ circles in London, New York, and Dallas-Fort Worth.  

- **Is Fargo preserved in any film registry?**  
  Yes, it was selected for the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress.  

- **Where was Fargo produced?**  
  The film was produced by British-American studio PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and British company Working Title Films.  

## Why It Matters
Fargo is a landmark film celebrated for its unique blend of dark humor, suspense, and moral complexity. It revitalized the neo-noir genre and influenced contemporary crime dramas. Its critical and commercial success, coupled with prestigious awards, solidified the Coen brothers’ reputation as innovative filmmakers. The film’s inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural and historical significance in American cinema.

## Notable For
- Winning two Academy Awards (Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay).  
- Merging multiple genres, including neo-noir, black comedy, and crime thriller.  
- Earning recognition from major critics’ associations (London, New York, Dallas-Fort Worth).  
- Being named one of the year’s top films by the National Board of Review.  
- Preservation in the National Film Registry for its enduring artistic and cultural value.  

## Body

### Production and Release  
Fargo was directed by Ethan and Joel Coen and released on March 8, 1996, in the United States and November 14, 1996, in the United Kingdom. The film was produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (a British-American studio active from 1975–1999) and Working Title Films (a British production company established in 1983). It is associated with both the United States and the United Kingdom through its production companies and release history.

### Genres  
The film is classified across multiple genres:  
- Crime film  
- Drama film  
- Neo-noir (modern film noir)  
- Black comedy film  
- Thriller film  
- Comedy film  
- Action film  
- Mystery film  
- Film noir  
- Comedy drama  

### Awards and Recognition  
Fargo received widespread critical acclaim and earned several prestigious awards:  
- **Academy Awards (1997):** Won Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best Original Screenplay (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen).  
- **London Film Critics Circle Award:** Named Film of the Year.  
- **New York Film Critics Circle Award:** Won Best Film.  
- **National Board of Review:** Included in the Top Ten Films of 1996.  
- **Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award:** Recognized as Best Film.  

### Preservation Status  
In 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

### Cultural Impact  
Fargo redefined the neo-noir genre with its dark humor, intricate plot, and moral ambiguity. Its success helped establish the Coen brothers as major figures in independent cinema and inspired subsequent crime dramas and black comedies. The film’s memorable dialogue, strong female protagonist (Marge Gunderson), and bleak yet engaging tone have made it a staple of 1990s American filmmaking. Its influence extends to television, including the FX series *Fargo* (2014–present), which adapts the film’s tone and themes.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116282/)
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5. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-reader)
6. [Source](https://itunes.apple.com/au/movie/fargo-1996/id341289724)
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11. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1997)
12. Virtual International Authority File
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14. The Movie Database
15. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
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17. Fargo. Rotten Tomatoes
18. [Fargo (1996): Release Info. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116282/releaseinfo)
19. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film68_fargo.html)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Fargo (1996): Technical Specifications. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116282/technical)
22. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0116282/)
23. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/fargo/)
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25. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=14928.html)
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32. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/9824-4212-BADD-A847-068B-1)
33. Danish Film Database
34. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/85501)
35. TheTVDB
36. Trakt.tv
37. FilmVandaag.nl