Pallet Noir
Film noir is a French term meaning ‘dark film.’ Britannica describes it as a “style of filmmaking characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.” The first film considered noir was the classic 1941 Humphrey Bogart film, The Maltese Falcon. Noir also refers to the black numbers in roulette. In most noir films the main character, often a detective, is more of a stylized ‘anti-hero.’
Pallet Wine Company found a place for itself as a movie set in this genre 80+ years after the film style found a niche in WWII audiences. The short film, Xpendable, has been winning awards globally, and it all began here in Southern Oregon on a rainy night in 2022.
Walter Haussner, writer, director and producer of the film, had conceived of a film based on the 10 page short story, “The Last Spin”, by prolific writer Evan Hunter. Hunter, aka, Ed McBain, was known for his 87th Precinct series, was the screen writer for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, and wrote the book, The Blackboard Jungle, that the movie was based on. Haussner wanted to put a new twist on “The Last Spin”, incorporating film noir aspects, and a ‘roulette’ scene of his own, but he was having difficulty finding a location.
Having already been turned down for 6 locations, he had driven past Pallet several times. He “loved the building but never thought it was even a possibility so didn’t want to ‘bug ‘em.’” But then one day he drove by and the back was open. He stopped, thought it was incredible, and spoke with Kellie, the bookkeeper, who said she thought Linda might be interested in helping and that she would talk with her. Haussner says, “As we were getting turned down at another place (the 7th), Linda called. So, we went back over and it was like night and day. She was so welcoming and positive, so interested and supportive of what we wanted to do. It was such a relief.”
Interior scenes in Pallet’s old barrel room were completed first. They are phenomenal. The lighting, the mood, it’s one of those sets you simply can’t imagine being anywhere else because it’s so perfect. The actors, first time actor, Annette Buchanan McGregor, formerly proprietor of Forty Five Coffee (now Cerberus) in Jacksonville, and Preston Mead, soon to be in OSF 2023 season, are remarkable. The film is set in 1957. The script is ‘speak’ of the time, which is somewhat different from current language usage. To make believable a character from that time takes more than just acting, costume and makeup, but also a certain look. Haussner and the actors captured that here. The whole scene exudes a roughened texture of life that could be straight out of a Cormac McCarthy novel, although McCarthy would have probably roughed it more.
Filming for exterior scenes were scheduled for a Friday night, 8-11pm, in April 2022. Weather forecast looked good. Permit in place. Orange cones rented. But, Haussner says, “The first rains in two months came. It was so difficult. We had 7 or 8 classic cars, everybody was wet.” But he knew he had the people there and then, so he had to just do it. Filming went to 3am.
“The film noir gods were smiling down on us,” Haussner observes, “because it looked so much better with wet pavement, rain coming down. It made it tougher, but was a blessing.”
Xpendable was edited in July: completed August 25th, 2022, and premiered at a private showing for cast, crew, and friends at City Center Wine District soon after. Haussner sent the film to (so far) 6 global festivals, winning awards in 4. These include: Stockholm City Film Festival, Tokyo Film Awards (Silver), Black and White Film Festival (Best Short Film), Dreammachine International Film Festival (Best Black & White Film), Cannes World Film Festival (Best Film Noir), Culver City Film Festival.
So, Pallet Wine Co. has not just made award winning wines, but has been part of an award winning film as well. Might I suggest you head on down to the The Urban Cork and City Center Wine District to explore your own kind of ‘noir.’ Walter Haussner’s favorite Pallet wine is the 2019 Donovan Chenin Blanc.