Dances with Films opened it’s 22nd year of independent cinema with the theme “Limitless.” The opening night film, Apple Seed, is a good example of just that – what you can do with limitless love for a project.
Written for the late Rance Howard (father of Ron and Clint Howard, yes, that Ron Howard), writer/director/co-star Michael Worth took 15 years to realize the project, a beautifully shot, poetic labor of love and tribute to the elder Howard.
On a cross country road trip following a misguided plan to rob his hometown bank, Prince McCoy – reeling from the death of his father and the foreclosure of a hotel rehab project the pair were working on —ends up traveling with ex-con Carl Robbins, a philosophizing, sometimes-preaching ex-con trying to make amends, and open to building friendships and offering Zen-like wisdom.
It’s an odd couple/buddy picture with great original music, two terrific star performances, and the kind of scruffy, banged-up, but lovable characters that you don’t see nearly enough of in mainstream cinema. Not that the film doesn’t have mainstream appeal and plenty of heart, just like DWF itself.
Worth says “I did a film with Rance in Flagstaff, Arizona and I knew I had to do a film for him. It was just one of those things I wanted to get made. We completed the project just before Rance passed away.”
Casting Clint with father Rance as a father and son in the film was serendipity for Worth. “It was the best day directing ever,” he asserts.
The younger Howard relates “It was such a blessing. Dad could always shine as a character actor, and he always came prepared, always rehearsed everything.”
Dasha Chadwick, who plays the role of, and sings the music of, a talented musician named Dallas in the film, says “Rance reminded me of a magical fairy tale creature. He made you feel you were magic, but I also felt lazy as hell. He was always on point, always grateful. He said this was his 301st film.”
Above, Worth with Clint Howard
The shoot took 15 days and was split between Arizona and Vermont. The completion of the film was a bittersweet milestone with Rance’s passing, Worth says. “The most fun part was coming up with the things Rance said. I’d always hoped the film would be made while Rance was alive, and we did it.”
Clint Howard adds “He dreamed of it, he did it, he did all the looping, and then he passed away.”
The film makes a fitting elegy for Rance Howard, and a great start for what appears to be a stellar year at Dances with Films.
DWF screens at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Individual tickets are $20, Festival passes are $375 for ten days of programming.
Visit www.danceswithfilms.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
- Genie Davis; Photos: Jack Burke
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