Tensions rise in the RiverPoints Community Playroom, as thirteen diverse Garden Club members slog through a never-ending bi-annual meeting run by the self-appointed leader Wang Fang. Interspersed between the meeting and its sudden unexpected turn are interviews with the gossipy New Age couple, the Frenchman and his alcoholic wife, the Old timers, the Millennial newcomers, and others.

Director Bio

Jeremy Folmer is a first time film director. A multi-talented artist, he began his career as an actor, working mainly on stage, and started his own business as a professional photographer 20 years ago. He has been shooting material for actor’s reels for the past 4 years, so moving into making his own project was a logical next step. Jeremy is also a self-taught editor, colorist, and retoucher. He is most proud of being father to his 15 year old daughter.

Director Statement

Five years ago I begrudgingly attended the bi-annual Garden Club meeting of my NYC co-op, as Ann Hamilton, my wife and one of the writers of this film, was unable to attend. Typically I would refuse to go to these meetings because I lack the patience to deal with the unbelievable pettiness of its members. This specific  meeting was painfully long, and became particularly memorable, once the treasurer read the itemized report. When I relayed the events of the evening to Ann we could not stop laughing. We fondly shared this rib-tickling story with friends and family for years. At the urging of writer/actor Carla Johnston, she and Ann sat down to write the story. Lucky for us, Ann had access to the real minutes from these meetings, and much of what you see on the screen was actually said by Garden Club members. As a super fan of documentaries, I knew right away how I would tell this story. I immediately offered to direct the film. Given my background as an actor, photographer, and most recently videographer (creating footage for actors), I was up for the challenge. I find the work of Christopher Guest inspiring and I love documentary style storytelling. The cast of characters in this script fit that style perfectly. As we said throughout the process—you can’t make this shit up. My hope is that through humor you will discover some parallels to our current political climate. The characters in our film illustrate the human condition.  Laugh with us as they unknowingly wrestle with racism, nationalism, homophobia, gender politics, and sustainability.