HIGH THERE STORMS THE ACTION ON FILM FESTIVAL!
High There's world premiere screening was a rousing success last night at the Action on Film International Film Festival.
Laughter, applause, and actual gasps of shock were heard in the Krikorian Monrovia Cinema theatre as director and star Wayne Darwen delivered a brave performance as a version of himself: "Dave High," a legendary, down-and-out tabloid television producer who finds redemption -- and gets the story -- by immersing himself in the hippie pot culture of the island of Hawai'i.
Director-writer-producer Wayne Darwen on the red carpet
Director-producer-director of photography Henry Goren
Fellow director Henry Goren got many laughs as Dave's frustrated and dedicated cameraman, "Roland Jointz."
Producer Burt Kearns
Goren and producer Burt Kearns led the High There team, including associate producer Doug Bruckner and production assistant Sam Kearns at the screening.
Director-writer-producer Wayne Darwen gets an earful from Doug Bruckner
There was much animated discussion about the film, its commentary on tabloid journalism and federal marijuana laws, as well as Darwen's "gonzo" style, not seen since the work of Hunter S. Thompson. The real-life cast of Hawai'i denizens, including The "E" Girl," Tony The Healer and Alien Tom, also received praise.
Television writer and producer Michael Lynn notices something on Darwen's back
The Producers
Darwen himself is on location in Adelaide, Australia.
He phoned in to the team before the screening and made an unexpected, if two-dimensional, appearance on the red carpet, and later outside the theatre, to welcome viewers personally.
Writer-director-producer star Wayne Darwen and SpongeBob
A pre-screening celebration was hosted at the nearby Rudy's Mexican Restaurant, an AOF sponsor, and attended by personalities including noted television producer and writer Michael Lynn.
Screens Monday: HIGH THERE ARRIVES at the ACTION ON FILM FESTIVAL!
Director/producer Henry Goren, in the guise of character Roland Jointz, led the High There production team into Monrovia, California today, to meet the fine folks at the Action on Film International Film Festival and prepare for Monday night's premiere screening (tickets here) of High There.
New HIGH THERE trailer passes 100,000 YouTube views in less than 48 hours
YouTube censored the trailer for the movie High There, which premieres at the Action on Film International Film Festival in Monrovia, CA on Monday at 10 pm.
But the trailer was reposted, and in less than 48 hours has logged more than 100,000 views -- and climbing!
Click the photo to see the controversial trailer and one more view!
Click here for tickets to the Monday screening!
Huffington Post: MARIJUANA DOCUMENTARY PROVES THAT TRUTH CAN INDEED BE STRANGER THAN FICTION
Host, 'Mysteries From Beyond the Other Dominion''
Posted: 08/20/2014
Investigator! Victim!
These are terms that can be truly applied to veteran tabloid television producer/director/writer Wayne Darwen. I had the high honor of working with Wayne on the TV programs, Strange Universe and Extra, where he always exhibited the highest levels of professionalism.
These are terms that can be truly applied to veteran tabloid television producer/director/writer Wayne Darwen. I had the high honor of working with Wayne on the TV programs, Strange Universe and Extra, where he always exhibited the highest levels of professionalism.
Recently, he embarked on a project to document the recreational marijuana culture in Hawaii. Accompanying him as a cameraman was director Henry Goren.
They flew from Los Angeles to the islands, winding up in the rural town of Pahoa, an ideal site to investigate illegal drugs. Indeed, they arrived at a time when the federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) was conducting raids. Because of that coincidental timing, locals initially suspected the pair of being undercover agents.
However, over time, they were able to convince the residents that they were indeed legitimate documentarians and gained entree into the local drug business. Wayne was actually shown where local cannabists grow their own illegal marijuana. And, he met a gentleman with connections to the organized marijuana trade who stressed that local authorities are loath to enforce drug laws.
But, pursuing his investigation, Wayne found himself falling in deeper and deeper with the community of junkies and hippies, participating in drug parties night after night, even one lasting 48 hours. He fell to an all-time low, becoming a victim of the very drugs he set out to expose.
However, a documentary was still produced, covering these sordid outcomes, with Wayne adopting the pseudonym "Dave High" while Henry, who filmed the interviews, assumed the moniker of "Roland Jointz." The production is appropriately entitled "High There," and will be entered in film festivals, beginning on Monday night, August 25, at a theater in Monrovia, CA.
It has been described as a Hunter S.Thompson-like escapade with some elements of dark, very dark, humor.
Ruehl Factoid: With the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado, pot sales for the first 6 months of 2014 soared to an astounding $202 million, and are continuing to grow, with producers barely able to keep up with the demand. Tourism there is flourishing, as a consequence.
The link to a preview of "High There" is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQhYSZyOwog
Follow Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drruehl
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