Indie movie shot locally by SLO County filmmakers to premiere at Hearst Castle event

Kathe Tanner
·2 min read

An indie movie written, directed, produced and filmed on the Central Coast is getting a red-carpet treatment for its gala premiere at the luxe Hearst Castle Theater on Jan. 13.

According to the website for “Hidden Creek,” the noir film tells the story of recent widower Jimmy Tucker, “an elderly rancher facing challenges in preserving both his land and his mind … (shedding) light on the often-overlooked struggles associated with dementia and the preservation of ranch land.”

The movie was directed and produced by Coast Union High School graduates Julian Mercado Avila and Darien Jewel. Magnus Marthaler, another grad from the small Cambria school, was also a co-producer.

The three young moviemakers attended film school at Woodbury College in Burbank. Among their other projects were “Astray,” “Christmas Couple Unwrapped” and “Don’t Breathe.”

Steve Brody — a longtime San Luis Obispo County clinical psychologist and neighbor of several large Cambria ranches — wrote the script. He drew on his clinical knowledge of dementia and how it affects families, while also relying on his previous writing experience to tie that together with the conflicts between different ranchland generations that disagree about preserving the family land legacy.

Many residents countywide were involved in the locally produced film, as cast, crew and support members.

“Hidden Creek” tells the story of recent widower Jimmy Tucker,” an elderly rancher facing challenges in preserving both his land and his mind … (shedding) light on the often-overlooked struggles associated with dementia and the preservation of ranch land.” Lead actor John Henry Richardson portrays Tucker in this scene shot on a Cambria ranch. The film was made in San Luis Obispo County and will premiere at Hearst Castle in January 2024.

How to buy tickets for movie showing at Hearst Castle

Tickets, available now at Eventbrite, cost $60 or $120. The dress code is listed as “Cambria formal,” whatever that means to each attendee.

Proceeds from the event will go toward various expenses for making and promoting the movie, such as entering it in film festivals.

Both ticket categories include the exclusive test screening, an auction of three one-of-a-kind items related to the movie and a chance to chat with some of the cast members.

The pricier tickets include wine socials before and after the showing, featuring Hearst Ranch Winery vintages, plus a personal meet-and-greet photo op with the some cast and crew members.