Focus Features’ Promised Land, written by and starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski and directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk), opens nationwide Friday, January 4th. The drama, which incorporates plenty of humor, centers around a corporate salesman (Damon) who goes to a small town to try to secure drilling rights to the citizens’ properties. When a slick environmental activist (Krasinski) arrives, the stakes rise.

NBCUDirect attended the red carpet premiere in New York to talk to the stars about their roles in the film, and what inspired Matt and John to write this script.

Watch the Promised Land trailer: