Filmmaker Shooting Movie
In Rochester Valley
By Martha Slater

Actor and independent filmmaker Larry Holden is shooting a film in the Rochester, Hancock and Granville area this summer.

Prior to the start of his career as a director, Holden primarily worked as an actor. He moved to Hollywood in 1993 to begin acting full-time, and has appeared in over 50 television shows, including episodes of ER and CSI; and movies. Most recently, he appeared in "Batman Begins" with Katie Holmes, and in two films by Christopher Nolan; the indie sensation, "Memento;" and the critically-acclaimed major studio film, "Insomnia," with Academy Award winners Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hillary Swank.

Holden, who is a great admirer of actor and filmmaker John Cassavetes, is now concentrating on writing and directing. He is probably best known as the writer, director and executive producer of "My Father’s House," starring Howard Keel and Cameron Diaz. The film, which was his directorial debut, told the story of a young man’s struggle to cope with the recent and sudden death of his father, and thus, of the dream they shared.

After that, Holden directed five more films and he has two new films coming up in 2008: "Under the Leakingist Roof" and "On Kentucky Avenue." His films don’t go into traditional theatrical release, but play at film festivals and have developed a cult following. Although they’re not widely available in stores, they can be ordered from his web site at www.holdenautomotive.com.

Actors in Holden’s films do not get a script in advance, because he notes, "If they read it beforehand, they arrive with a bunch of decisions they’ve made about the role that I might not agree with." Of his directing style, he noted that, "people tend not to like bosses, so sometimes we have to work side by side."

Holden and his wife, fashion designer Hanne Kristiansen, also work side by side. They have traveled all over the world and co-produced six films together.

"We’ve been traveling for over four years now, going to places we’ve never been before," Holden said. "Wherever we go, I love just hanging out and listening to different people."

After moving to Granville several months ago, they have settled in and gotten to know a number of their neighbors. Recently, The Herald sat down with the couple at one of their favorite spots, D’s Doghouse, on the corner of Route 100 and Buffalo Hill Road in Granville.

"We were looking for a small town in Vermont as the site for this movie, and we really like it here," said Holden. He noted that rumors that have circulated around the valley have caused some people to be less than welcoming, so he hopes people will have an open mind and take the time to get to know him.

Right now, plans call for filming to start July 24 and wrap up around August 11. The cast of 12-15 actors will live together at a rental in Granville.

Holden says he likes to mix professional actors with non-professionals and tries to work "without too many pre-conceived notions. I also like to make sure my cast has a good time. Working on an independent film, they’re not doing it for the money."

The title of his current film, "All Sun and Little White Flowers," was inspired by "the feeling you had, when you were a kid playing Army in the woods, that anything was possible," Holden explained.

"I became a writer and director because I wanted to tell stories," Holden explained, "and I left Hollywood because I wanted to do that my own way. I’m interested in not doing someone else’s story. This movie’s been in my head for a few years now."

Holden has hired Roger Stauss, of Noteworthy Studios in Granville, to do the sound mixing for his film, and has also been invited to speak to students at Rochester High School on April 25. A few extra actors may also be needed for his current project. Local folks already cast include Alan Moore, a member of the White River Valley Players who lives in Hancock; and Jim-Bob Denis and his children, Austin and Catherine, who are also Hancock residents.

To find out more about Holden’s films and his acting credits check out his web site or go to the Internet Movie Data Base, type in his name and search, or go directly to www.imdb.com/name/nm0390227.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about being involved with his film is welcome to write to Holden at PO Box 72, Granville, Vt. 05747 or contact him at larry@holdenautomotive.com. You can find out about Hanne at www.hannekristiansen.com..

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