Louise & Jaf Farkas, Laurent Rejto, and Zach & Sara Golden
On June 11, the Hudson Valley Film Commission hosted a special private screening of THE DEAD DON’T DIE at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck. The Guffaws and gasps filled the theater, as director Jim Jarmusch’s latest feature blends both humor and horror.
THE DEAD DON’T DIE recently opened the Cannes Film Festival and opens in 500 theaters across the county on June 14. Focus Features is distributing. The feature film holds special significance for the Mid Hudson Valley as principal photography took place in regional towns during the summer of 2018.
Some local crew and actors attended the special screening, including several zombies, stand ins, and background casting directors Amy Hutchings and Heidi Eklund. Local industry luminaries included Colin Broderick, Eden Brolin, Cameron Crosby, Jon Greenhalgh, Willo Hausman, Sam Quartin and Mike Wallach. Local artists (Portia Munson, Jared Handelsman, Jeanne Fleming), filmmakers and cinephiles alike congregated at Foster’s Coach House for a happy hour prior to the screening and enjoyed a zombie themed cake, courtesy of Hudson Valley Dessert Company. Click to see photos online.
Colin Broderick, Mike Wallach, Eden Brolin, Cameron Crosby and Sam Quartin
THE DEAD DON’T DIE features Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Selena Gomez, Larry Fessenden, Danny Glover, Iggy Pop, Steve Buscemi, Eszter Balint, Caleb Landry Jones, Carol Kane, Rosie Perez, RZA, Chloë Sevigny, Tilda Swinton, Tom Waits, and many local extras.
In the sleepy small town of Centerville, something is not quite right. The moon hangs large and low in the sky, the hours of daylight are becoming unpredictable and animals are beginning to exhibit unusual behaviors. No one quite knows why. News reports are scary and scientists are concerned. But no one foresees the strangest and most dangerous repercussion that will soon start plaguing Centerville: THE DEAD DON’T DIE -- they rise from their graves and savagely attack and feast on the living -- and the citizens of the town must battle for their survival.
THE DEAD DON’T DIE was produced in the mid-Hudson Valley during the summer of 2018. Featured locations include the Town of Ulster, Margaretville, Ancram, Elizaville and Fleischmanns, which became the fictionalized Centerville. Over 575 local background actors appear in the film and over 40 local crew members were hired. More than 10,000 room nights were rented in Kingston and the Town of Ulster, and administrative offices were based at Tech City.
Producers Joshua Astrachan and Carter Logan commented that, “Shooting our film in the Hudson Valley was a truly wonderful experience. The cities and towns welcomed us with open arms, the people were kind and generous, and our local crew of remarkably talented artists and professionals were simply incredible. The Hudson Valley Film Commission was a fantastic resource, standing by for assistance every step of the way. We are so grateful for the support!”
Location Manager Jeff Brown wrote, "THANK YOU for steering me in the direction of Fleischmanns. Whenever anyone asked me “how did you find Fleischmanns?” I would always mention that you (the Hudson Valley Film Commission, naturally) steered me in the direction of it. Without that broad stroke of guidance, I don’t know where we would have ended up. You made The Dead Don’t Die, as far as I’m concerned."
The HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $200 million in regional economic development especially in Ulster County, Dutchess County, Orange County, as well as Columbia, Delaware, Greene, and Sullivan Counties.