on the cover / By Robyn Hillman-Harrigan

In The Green Room

As Humboldt County (the movie!) prepares for its debut, the directors revisit their inspiration

(Aug. 14, 2008)  For me, the story of Humboldt County the movie began back in June at the Provincetown International Film Festival. Some friends introduced me to Danny Jacobs and Darren Grodsky, and quickly they became part of my new film-fest hang-out crew. Somewhere between gala receptions and beer-doused Quentin Tarantino ogling sessions, I found out that my new friends were the directors of Humboldt County.

“No way!” I exploded. “You made that film. I haven’t seen it yet but I am going to be in Humboldt this summer! That is so cool.” We chatted about the region and I promised to see the film later that day and catch up with them for an interview sometime in the future.

GALLERY >

Danny and Darren made for great company and I found their close relationship with each other to be especially charming. “Big D” and “little d” is not only how they sign off on their e-mails, but is also what their comedy troupe should be called when they decide to form one. Danny is short, energetic and warm, while Darren is tall with a low voice, and uses his somewhat stoic demeanor to deliver well-timed deadpan lines. The duo, who have been friends since they were small children, moved from Missouri to Los Angeles together after college, determined to pursue their dream of becoming filmmakers.

Once they arrived in L.A. — without contacts or any major prospects — they cleverly infiltrated the film scene by forming the “Danny and Darren Mentor Project.” This program in action consisted of them calling and e-mailing filmmakers who they respected, and requesting the opportunity to meet with them and gain advice. D and d’s goal was to make their first feature film before turning 30. Surprisingly, the filmmakers they targeted responded generously.

These new connections came in handy when the budding directors shopped their vision around the houses of Hollywood’s wealthy movie enthusiasts. They were able to get the entire film privately funded with just a PowerPoint presentation, a committed producer (Jason Weiss) and their signature unbending drive.

Humboldt County tracks the experience of Peter, an L.A. native who finds himself in Southern Humboldt after sleeping through a very long car ride. He awakens in a remote, off-the-grid house, complete with an outdoor composting toilet. After the first day, Bogart (Fairuza Balk) the one-night-stand woman who brought him there, surreptitiously departs. This leaves Peter in the hands of his new hosts, three generations of the pot-growing Truman family: the grandparents, Jack (Brad Dourif) and Rosie (Frances Conroy); their son, Max (Chris Messina); and their granddaughter, Charity (Madison Davenport). They explain that Bogart comes and goes unexpectedly. Despite an initial panic, Peter is soon drawn into the SoHum lifestyle and forgets to leave. Instead, he gets dirtier, slowly relaxes, forms friendships with the family and helps Max tend to his marijuana crops.

A couple of weeks ago, I made good on my promise to interview Danny and Darren. I got them on a conference call to L.A. and further south in Arcadia. Our presence in three different locations did not detract from the feeling that we were back in the same room, joking, laughing and talking about films. This time, one film in particular: Humboldt County.

Robyn Hillman-Harrigan: Hey, guys! For those who have not seen it yet, can you briefly summarize the film?

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