BISMARCK, N.D. — When word got around that a filmmaker was creating movies set in North Dakota, folks began offering Canticle Productions founder Dan Bielinski ideas for stories from the Heartland that could work for the big screen.

But one compelled him in particular: that of a young woman, Hazel Miner, of Center, North Dakota, who, in 1920, at 15, died during a spring blizzard while protecting her two younger siblings.

“It came across my radar 10 years ago,” Dan said, noting that, after doing several movies involving homicides, “it was nice to move on from the murder stories.”

But that wasn’t the only reason he decided the story was worth a second glance.

“I’ve got six kids, and it’s just my worst nightmare — losing them and not being able to protect them,” he said. “Anyone who is a

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