''Mint Julep'' is a 2010 romance film written, directed, and produced by Ian Teal and Kathy Fehl, starring David Morse,

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, and James Gandolfini. It is set in small-town North Carolina and follows the struggling marriage of Deirdre, a diner waitress played by Torn, and Leighton, an insurance salesman played by Teal. Morse plays an odd groundskeeper at a golf course who witnesses a murder, and Gandolfini plays a landlord in New York City. The film's surreal aspects reflect influences from

Federico Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most i ...

, Luis Buñuel and

Michelangelo Antonioni Michelangelo Antonioni (, ; 29 September 1912 – 30 July 2007) was an Italian filmmaker. He is best known for directing his "trilogy on modernity and its discontents"—''L'Avventura'' (1960), ''La Notte'' (1961), and ''L'Eclisse'' (1962 ...

. The

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...

took more than a decade to produce due to budget constraints. Teal and Fehl spent an estimated $150,000 on the film, much of which came from their personal finances. The filmmakers received some financial backing from Marilyn Perry, an art historian, painter, and former chairwoman of the World Monuments Fund. Perry studied under Fehl's father at the University of North Carolina, where he taught art history. The film premiered on May 22, 2010, at the

Gerold Opera House Gerold is a given name. Notable people with the name include: * Gerold Bührer (born 1948), Swiss politician and member of the National Council (1991–2007) * Gerold of Cologne (1201–1251), martyr and saint * Gerold Löffler (born 1967), Swiss b ...

Weyauwega, Wisconsin Weyauwega is a city in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,900 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Weyauwega, though it is politically independent of the town. Small portions extend nor ...

, where Teal and Fehl run a non-profit organization called Wega Arts.

Cast

as Deirdre * Ian Teal as Leighton * David Morse as Karl * James Gandolfini as Mr. G * Susan Aston as Veronica * Johnny Mez as Gantner * Kathy Fehl as Muriel

Soundtrack

The film features an original jazz score composed by Tommy James.

References

External links

* * 2010 films 2010 romance films American romance films 2010s English-language films 2010s American films English-language romance films Films about landlords {{2010s-romance-film-stub