Films We Like Announces Canadian Theatrical Release: GREENER GRASS
Films We Like is thrilled to announce the Canadian release of GREENER GRASS, a new comedy described by The Hollywood Reporter as "Franz Kafka meets Serial Mom meets Edward Scissorhands somewhere on the edge of whatever alternative universe The Lobster was set".
Based on the 2016 SXSW award-winning short film by the same name, GREENER GRASS is a dark comedy written, directed by, and starring Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and also screened at the SXSW, FIN Atlantic, Calgary and Vancouver International Film Festivals.
RELEASE:
October 18th - Toronto, Ottawa, Regina, Calgary, Sudbury October 23rd - Edmonton November 1st - Waterloo, Hamilton November 29th - Montreal
STARRING: Jocelyn DeBoer, Dawn Luebbe, Neil Casey, Beck Bennett, D’Arcy Carden
A deliciously twisted comedy set in a demented, timeless suburbia where every adult wears braces on their straight teeth, couples coordinate meticulously pressed outfits, and coveted family members are swapped in more ways than one in this competition for acceptance.
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY:
Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe
PRODUCED BY: Natalie Metzger
From the producers of "Thunder Road" which won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW 2018 and had its
international premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, comes independent feature, "Greener
Grass". Based on their 2016 SXSW award-winning short film by the same name, "Greener Grass"
is a dark comedy written, directed by, and starring Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe. Beck
Bennett, Neil Casey, and Mary Holland co-star with D’Arcy Carden, Dot-Marie Jones, and Janicza
Bravo rounding out the cast. Principal photography took place in Peachtree City, GA.
Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe
Writers/Directors
Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe are an award-winning writing and directing team based in Los
Angeles. Both veteran performers at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Jocelyn and Dawn
partnered in 2015 and formed Gulp Splash Productions. Their first feature, “Greener Grass,”
premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. They wrote, directed, and co-star in the film
alongside Beck Bennett (“SNL”), Neil Casey (“Ghostbusters”), Mary Holland (“Veep”), and D’Arcy
Carden (“The Good Place”). “Greener Grass” is a dark comedy based on their 2016 SXSW
award-winning short film by the same name. Following its premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand Film
Festival in France, the “Greener Grass” short received a distribution deal with Canal + in Europe
and Africa. Jocelyn and Dawn recently directed two episodes of TruTV’s “Adam Ruins Everything”.
In 2017, they sold a television pilot to IFC. They have written and produced three short films which
have appeared in over 70 film festivals worldwide. They won “Best Direction” for their short, "The
Arrival" at Funcinema Crítica de Cine in Argentina. “The Arrival” also was named “Best
International Short Film” at the Roma International Short Film Festival, “Best Short Film” in the
Lounge Comedy Shorts program at the The Napa Valley Film Festival, “Best Comedy” at the Way
Down Film Festival in Georgia, and the Audience Award at The Chicago Critics Film Festival.
www.gulpsplash.com
Natalie Metzger
Producer
Natalie Metzger is an award-winning producer whose credits include GREENER GRASS
(Sundance), THUNDER ROAD (Spirit Award nominee, Grand Jury Award at SXSW), ALONE IN
THE GAME (AFI Docs, Outfest), THE ROBBERY (Sundance), MATPAT’S GAME LAB (Streamy
Award), Lil Dicky’s FREAKY FRIDAY (over 433 million views), HYDRANGEA (Vimeo Staff Pick),
THE ARRIVAL (Jury Award, Napa Valley Film Festival), THE STOP (Vimeo Staff Pick), TOPLESS
WOMEN TALK NFL (Aurora Award), VR miniseries GLOBAL GAMER, among numerous others.
Metzger holds an MFA from CalArts and a BA from Emory University, where she graduated Phi
Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. www.nataliemetz.com
Lowell A. Meyer
Cinematographer
Lowell A. Meyer is a Local 600 cinematographer based in Los Angeles, CA. His feature credits
include Jim Cummings’ feature-adaptation of “Thunder Road,” which won the Grand Jury Prizes at
both SXSW ’18 and Deauville American Film Festival ’18, as well Aisha Tyler’s directorial debut
“Axis.” His short film credits include “Caroline,” (Cannes Official Competition ’18, Telluride ’18),
“Krista,” (Vimeo Staff Pick Award Winner, SXSW ’18), “The Robbery” (Sundance ’17), “Seth”
(SXSW ’16), "Primrose" (SXSW ’15), and “Elko" (AFI Fest ’12). His most recent narrative project is
the feature-adaptation of SXSW award-winning short film “Greener Grass,” starring
writers/directors Jocelyn DeBoer & Dawn Luebbe, as well as Beck Bennett, Neil Casey, D’Arcy
Carden, Dot Jones, and Janicza Bravo. In addition to his narrative work, he has shot multiple
commercials and branded content for Microsoft, Macy's, Nike, Vice, Hungryman, BuzzFeed Motion
Pictures, Sandwich Video, Portal A, and Participant Media, as well as music videos for BOBI,
Steady Holiday, Beirut, Watsky, MUNA, Nervo, and Stanton Warriors. www.lowellameyer.com
Taylor Gianotas
Editor
Taylor Gianotas is a Los Angeles-based editor specializing in dramatic-comedy narrative work. His
feature film credits include Magnolia Pictures’ “Kiss of the Damned” (Venice Film Festival Official
Selection ’12, BFI London ’12, SXSW ’13). His short film credits include Gulp Splash Productions’
“Buzz” and “The Arrival,” as well as End Cue’s “Sunspring,” the first film written entirely by an
artificial intelligence. In addition to his narrative film work, he has edited television and commercial
pieces for clients such as Amazon, Comedy Central, Big Breakfast, AMPAS, and architect Frank
Gehry. www.taylorgianotas.com
Jocelyn DeBoer
Actress - Jill
Jocelyn DeBoer is an award-winning actress who got her start improvising at The Upright Citizens
Brigade Theatre where she's been a weekly performer for nearly a decade. Jocelyn recently
completed filming the lead role in the indie feature GREENER GRASS opposite Beck Bennett.
Jocelyn plays a supporting role in Jim Cumming's THUNDER ROAD (SXSW 2018 Grand Jury
Prize Winner, CANNES 2018). Jocelyn fought Nazi zombies opposite Martin Starr in Tommy
Wirkola's comedy DEAD SNOW II (Sundance 2014). Jocelyn received the Rising Star Award at the
37th Starz Denver Film Festival for her supporting role opposite Anton Yelchin in the film FIVE TO
SEVEN. Jocelyn's TV credits include INSIDE AMY SCHUMER (Comedy Central), ADAM RUINS
EVERYTHING (TruTV), GHOST STORY CLUB (TruTV), THE PETE HOLMES SHOW (TBS) and
COMEDY BANG! BANG! (IFC).
Jaxon Rose Moore on set of "Greener Grass" with Julian Hilliard, Asher Miles Fallica, and Boden & Sutton Johnston
Dawn Luebbe
Actress - Lisa
Dawn Luebbe is a LA based writer, director, and actor. She recently co-wrote and co-directed her
first feature, "Greener Grass", with Jocelyn DeBoer. It is based on their 2016 SXSW award-winning
short by the same name. Dawn and Jocelyn recently directed two episodes of TruTV’s “Adam
Ruins Everything.” In 2017, they sold a television pilot to IFC. Dawn published a book of comedic
essays and preteen diary entries titled "My 1992 Diary" with Abrams Books.
Beck Bennett
Actor - Nick
BECK is a writer/performer who is currently a cast member on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. He
recently wrapped production on the feature GREENER GRASS. He is also a member of the sketch
group GOOD NEIGHBOR with KYLE MOONEY, NICK RUTHERFORD & DAVE McCARY.
BECK’S credits include the independent film INTRAMURAL opposite KATE MCKINNON and JAKE
LACY which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, UNICORN opposite Lauren Lapkus,
Lucy Hale and Nick Rutherford, BESIDE STILL WATERS directed by Chris Lowell, and DEAN
written and directed by DEMETRI MARTIN. BECK is also known for the AT&T “It’s Not
Complicated” commercials where he interviews children directed by JORMA TACCONE. BECK
can most also be heard as one of the lead voices in the Illumination Entertainment animated
feature SING, as well as the voice of "Launchpad McQuack" on DUCKTALES.
Neil Casey
Actor - Dennis
Neil Casey will next appear on HBO’s SILICON VALLEY and THE PRESIDENT SHOW on
Comedy Central. He recently appeared in the reboot of HBO’s CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and in
Netflix’s SANTA CLARITA DIET. Last year, Neil starred in FOX’s MAKING HISTORY. Neil also
recently starred as the male lead in Sony’s upcoming feature film GHOSTBUSTERS 3, directed by
Paul Feig. He has appeared on VEEP (HBO), BROAD CITY (Comedy Central), PLAYING HOUSE
(USA), THE LEAGUE (FXX), and in the feature FORT TILDEN, which premiered at SXSW 2014
and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. As a writer, Neil most recently
wrote for the upcoming Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman series, THE HANDMADE PROJECT
(NBC). Previously, he wrote on Comedy Central’s THE PRESIDENT SHOW. Neil has written for
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC), INSIDE AMY SCHUMER (Comedy Central), and KROLL SHOW
(Comedy Central). Neil was also the head writer of the 2015 MTV MOVIE AWARDS, as well as the
2017 MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
D’Arcy Carden
Actress - Miss Human
D’Arcy Carden can be seen starring opposite Ted Danson and Kristen Bell as ‘Janet’ in NBC’s hit comedy,
THE GOOD PLACE, which is currently airing its third season and for which she received a 2018 Gold Derby TV Award in the category of Best Comedy Supporting. Additionally, Carden can be seen in Alec Berg and Bill Hader’s HBO comedy series BARRY which is currently in production of its second season. Carden’s additional television credits include a multitude of critically acclaimed series including; Comedy Central’s BROAD CITY and Emmy award winning variety series INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, HBO’s Emmy award winning comedy VEEP, IFC’s COMEDY BANG BANG, and the CW’s CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND. On the big screen, Carden was most recently seen in Chris Kelly’s OTHER PEOPLE, which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. She will next be seen in John Butler’s PAPI CHULO opposite Matt Bomer. In addition to her work on screen, Carden is a long-time member of the Upright Citizens Brigade.
She regularly performs with her improv group, Search History, and in UCB's longest running show
ASSSSCAT. Originally from the Bay Area and a graduate of Southern Oregon University, Carden currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jason.
Dot Marie Jones
Actress - Little Helen
Dot Marie Jones as received three consecutive Emmy® Award nominations (2011, 2012, 2013) for
her role as football coach ‘Shannon Beiste’ on FOX’s megahit television show Glee. In its third
season, the show received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an
Ensemble in a Comedy Series. With an expansive list of diverse film and television credits, Jones
is know for her poignant roles in both drama and comedy.
Lauren Oppelt
Costume Designer
Lauren Oppelt is a Los Angeles based Costume Designer. In recent years, her projects have taken
her everywhere from rural Kentucky to Kuala Lumpur, though most frequently Atlanta, GA. Lauren
specializes in fabrication and has designed everything from historical clothing as far back as
medieval times up to futuristic armor and sci-fi parkour. Her dream design job would be drag
queens in space or a long running television show. Laurenoppelt.com
Courtesy of Taro PR