The first time I tried to connect with Davin Lindwall, he was in a small town in Michigan and had bad cell phone service because he’s in a remote place.
He grew up in Iron River, what he calls “the middle of nowhere.” His parents and sister still live there and he was there when we talked.
It’s farm country, just like the Temecula he now calls home once was and in a way still is, considering our famous wine country.
Who better to produce a bigtime movie about the farm life, “Green and Gold,” which opens Jan. 31 in theaters across the land and Canada too, including the Temecula mall. Davin said he plans to be there the opening two nights and do promotional work as well.
Davin, 32, and his brother Anders, 38, and a Colorado resident, co-wrote the film and also are producer and director, respectively.
“This is our debut film and we’re local independent filmmakers,” Davin said. “Neither of us are from or live in Hollywood. We’ll be going up against the big studios in our opening weekend, so we need all the local love and support we can get.”
The film’s trailer opens with the message that our country loses 28,000 family farms a year. The film is about a fourth-generation dairy farmer fighting to preserve his life’s work while a banker looms with the obvious question: Where’s the money?
Without giving away too much, a bet ensues involving the Green Bay Packers, the brothers’ favorite football team. Of course, when you’re making the film, you can add such touches.
“When your dream is on the line, bet the farm,” a line from the trailer says.
“At its core, ‘Green and Gold’ is a tribute to the unsung heroes who shape communities, preserve tradition and steadfastly anchor the world through selfless kindness, unwavering hard work and a profound appreciation for life’s simplest yet most valuable things,” Davin said.
He said he was interested in film and photography growing up and moved to L.A. after high school to make his dream come true.
His photography has been used nationally and clients include National Geographic, Delta Airlines and Architectural Digest.
The film is Davin’s debut as a producer, but photography is the foundation for his newfound expertise, he said.
The movie has won audience choice awards at the Heartland International and Austin film festivals, which also are Academy Award qualifying festivals, Davin said.
There are lots of local connections too.
His wife Holly, whose maiden name is Young, grew up in Temecula and attended Linfield Christian School. The couple moved back about three years ago because she’s from here and he wanted to be closer to the film industry in L.A., but not actually live in the city.
Our local area is also featured in the film. The scene that is backdrop for the scrolling credits was filmed at Perfect Chaos Ranch in La Cresta, and how great is the name. The ranch is owned by Samantha Thompson, a friend of Holly’s from childhood. The ranch also has the same breed of cows used in Davin’s movie.
Another shot was from Sunridge Community Church in Temecula. The place has something that Davin decided resembled an old Wisconsin barn door, that he said was perfect for the film.
Annie’s Café in Temecula was used as well. “We liked that if felt like a classic diner you would find in the Midwest,” Davin said.
Local scenes in a big film made by a local. How cool is that?
Reach Carl Love at carllove4@yahoo.com.
