MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Herman bachelors are going to the big screen.
Four years ago, the tiny town about 150 miles west of Minneapolis drew national attention when it started “Bachelormania,” an attempt to bring women and more jobs for women to the farming community where men outnumbered women roughly 6-to-1.
Thousands of women from around the country poured into the town of less than 500, as did letters from as far as Europe.
Some ensuing romances turned into marriages, which is the premise for “Herman USA,” being filmed this week in Minneapolis.
In between shooting scenes Wednesday at a South Minneapolis home, first-time feature director William Semans promised the movie will not poke fun at rural life like “Fargo” or be laced with “You betcha’s.”
“The real story is the relationships spawned. It’s a poignant comedy,” Semans said.
The actors form an ensemble cast, meaning no role is the star compared to the others, Semans said. The plot is fictitious, using the “Bachelormania” event only as a backdrop. It follows the blossoming love of four Herman couples from their late 30s to early 70s who meet at “Bachelormania.”
The cast and crew of about 110 will not shoot any of the movie in its namesake but rather in mostly Twin Cities locations and in New Germany, population 400, about 40 miles west of the metro area. Film crews will shoot today and Saturday at The Minnesota Daily.
Semans of Minneapolis used to direct documentaries and, with three partners, has formed a movie company called St. Anthony. “Herman USA” is the company’s first film. Semans wrote and co-produced the movie, projected to cost $4.5 million. Producers said their backing comes from a Twin Cities businessman.
“There’s so many wonderful elements about human conditions: naivete, love, greed and need. Herman made a cry and the world heard,” Semans said. He added that the town took risks to find love and prevent its death.
Dan Ellison, the farmer who organized “Bachelormania,” estimated that eight to 10 couples married as a result, including himself.
Herman resident Gary Findlay, 41, gave up his bachelor status last year. He married Rhonda Jean Johansen, a nurse from Underwood, who was among the more than 1,500 women from whom Findlay received letters and phone calls.
“I hope the producer has done his homework and will tell the story in an upbeat and positive manner,” Findlay said. “I think it’s a story that needs to be told. There are a lot of single guys who are looking to share a life within rural America.”