NEW ULM — Screen actor and New Ulm native David Rysdahl returned to his hometown Friday for a special screening of the film “Nine Days” in which he stars.

The screening was nearly sold out, with local friends, family and fans of Rysdahl coming to see the new movie.

Rysdahl is the son of Gigi and Dr. Scott Rysdahl. David has performed on stage, on television and in feature films. “Nine Days” is his most recent film. This was the first time a film featuring Rysdahl has played at New Ulm’s movie theater.

“Nine Days” is a supernatural drama set in the afterlife. The film revolves around a man named Will, played by Winston Duke, whose job in the afterlife is to interview souls for the opportunity of life. Rhysdahl played Mike, one of the souls auditioning for a spot on earth. Rysdahl describes his character as a sensitive, artistic soul. Early in the film, Mike is shown to be a talented artist but he is reluctant to share that talent.

The film began screening at the “Lyric 3” on Aug. 5. A special free screening of the movie was held on that day, paid for by Rysdahl himself.

Rysdahl was able to attend Aug. 13 screening in person. The screening was followed by a question and answer period with Rysdahl about the film.

After the screening, Rysdahl was asked how he first joined this film project. He explained that he received the script after appearing in a short film. The part of Mike was open. The part of Emma was also available to Rysdahl’s girlfriend Zazie Beetz. Rysdahl and Beetz both met with “Nine Days” writer and Director Edson Oda in June of 2019 and were cast.

Filming began in August 2019 in Utah. The film is set in an isolated home in an empty desert. The salt flats of Utah were used to shoot the exterior scenes.

“Nine Days” premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2020 and was purchased by Sony Pictures Classics.

Rysdahl said the film’s release was delayed by COVID. Many films were released through streaming in 2020, but Sony Pictures does not have a streaming platform and decided to wait until only theaters opened again to release it, because the studio believed it should be seen on the big screen.

Rysdahl answered several questions about his acting process. His character was a challenge to play since technically he is not playing a real person, but the soul of a person that has only existed a few days.

Rysdahl had to convey a wide range of emotions, from devastation and despair to joy and acceptance.

Rysdahl said he and Duke were able to rehearse a scene before shooting one of the more emotional scenes. One of the challenges of the scene was Rysdahl wanted to react naturally. As the scene was scripted, the actors knew how it would end and it is easy to act toward the ending, but Rysdahl wanted to play it at the moment. To get this effect, he started the scene acting this character expected the opposite outcome. It performed a more real feel.

Rysdahl’s final scene in the film involved his character on a simulated beach. Working with the director, Rysdahl helped block the scene. As a group, they decided how the Mike character would behave at a beach. It was a complicated, but important part of the film.

Rysdahl also answered questions about the technical aspects of the film. He said there were around 100 people on the set during the filming. The movie was originally produced as an independent film, meaning no studio paid for the production, but several individuals financed the film after it was released. Sony Picture Classics would eventually acquire the rights to the film.

Rysdahl thanked his hometown audience for coming to his movie. Rysdahl had previously worked at the New Ulm movie theater. He said screening a film at his hometown theater felt like a dream.

Rysdahl’s next film is called “No Exit” and is scheduled to be released in 2022. He is also working on producing a film he wrote called “Shelter” that he hopes to film in Minnesota.

“Nine Days” will play at the Lyric 3 through Wednesday, Aug. 18.