Seattle-made film "Marcie's" celebrates Washington small town life

In this offbeat and heartwarming comedy-drama small-town bartender Marcie has to fight for her future when development threatens the community she loves and nurtures.

• Shot at Washington State locations including North Bend's Mt. Si Tavern and Seattle’s iconic Waterwheel Lounge (the closure of which echoes in real life the themes of the movie.)

World Premiere at Northwest Film Forum April 4 and 5 at 6:30p

Coming to Major Streaming Platforms on April 29

"The actors’ work in the early process created a vibrant and specific community around a quintessential dive bar where these characters intersect and come to support one another in unexpected ways."

-Director John Helde

Marcie has a dream: to own Ed’s Tavern where she’s bartender and den mother to a devoted small-town community. But when a developer sets his sights on Ed’s wooded land Marcie’s future is upended. Determined to fight back Marcie rallies her friends and neighbors and finds that an endangered bird may hold the key to saving the tavern and the community she loves.

Director John Helde’s films are distinctive for their authentic characters relationships and places. Films such as PHOEBE’S FATHER BROWN’S CANYON and now MARCIE’S are grounded in the familiar and tap into the wonder joy absurdity humor and struggle of real lives.

As with his other feature films John began MARCIE’S by casting key actors whose improvisational skills keep the dialogue fresh funny authentic and from the heart and give the film its warm depiction of the surprises that life can bring. The story that emerged from the improvisation process weaves together unexpected elements while remaining true to each character’s development and to the heart of the story.

About Director John Helde

John Helde (Director Screenwriter Editor Producer) is based in Seattle. John started his career in New York City working with the celebrated documentary makers Maysles Films. He has been a film editor for noted directors such as Alan Rudolph Chris Eyre and Steve James. John’s award-winning short films include Hello starring Eric Stoltz and Susanna Thompson. His first feature documentary Made in China played the festival circuit to critical acclaim and aired on the Documentary Channel. His recent independent features Brown's Canyon and Phoebe’s Father made with Seattle-based cast and crew are streaming on major platforms. 

Key Cast

Jenn Ruzumna (Brown's Canyon Phoebe’s Father Manic Pixie Dream Wife)

Miski Farah Ali (Standard of Care The Last Wave - Macha Theatre).

Reginald André Jackson (ACT Contemporary Theatre Seattle Repertory Theatre)

Ryan Sanders (Phoebe’s Father The Parish Cuddle: the series Loop)

Aaron Blakely (The Man in the High Castle Outside In We Go Way Back Grimm Seattle Rep)

Alycia Delmore (Humpday The Off Hours Gayby Touchy Feely)

Elena Flory-Barnes (Burn it All The Stairs 3 Minutes) 

Eric Jordan (Brown’s Canyon Phoebe’s Father)

Isis King (The Good Wife Smash Sheathed - Macha Theatre). 

Merri Ann Osborne (Cloud Chamber Red Girl)

John Paulsen (Twin Peaks Z Nation Zoo)

Ashley Salazar (The Death of Casanova)

Matt Smith (Outsourced Sleepless in. Seattle Almost Live)

Host or Publisher Smarthouse Creative