Director Michael Nickles talks up his new Christmas film, Holly Star,
featuring Katlyn Carlson and Brian Muller.

December 2019

By Sofia Voltin

From New York to Los Angeles to…Saco? Writer and director Michael Nickles held fast to his dream of a Christmas comedy movie for over 20 years. Holly Star finally began filming in December 2016. The film has made its debut on Netflix and this holiday season will screen at select local theaters. On December 21 at Biddeford’s City Theater, a behind-the-scenes video will premiere after the movie.

How would you pitch Holly Star?
It’s about a young woman whose life flashes before her eyes during a near-death experience. She discovers a buried memory about a bag of money hidden somewhere in her home town. Enlisting the help of her best friend, she goes on a treasure hunt. She starts to question her obsession and wonders if the “treasure” might actually be something—or someone—else.

Why did you write this movie as a Christmas story?
The title. It was the first thing I had. At first, I was convinced it had to be a noir story. I imagined it on a ragged paperback book like some Dashiell Hammett novel. I got obsessed, which meant I didn’t allow other ideas to flow. When I finally accepted defeat, I realized the answer was there all along—the title evokes Christmas. I needed to change the genre. There’s a lesson there, and it became a theme in the film.

“When Michael started shooting in Maine, it was clear the film had finally found
the right home.”—Edward Burns, executive producer

After so long, how did this project finally get made?
At the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey receives a note from his guardian angel: “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” George is saved by the generosity of the small town.

I tried to make Holly Star for decades. I wrote the script to be a big-budget studio film. It got some attention. I met a lot of producers. There was cast attached, I went location scouting—it fell apart. I picked up the pieces and knocked on more doors. Kept hearing “No.” I went through this over and over.  It wasn’t until Mark Adam, president and CEO of Saco Cinemagic, signed on as executive producer that it became a reality. Soon after, I met with officials in Saco and Biddeford to talk about shooting in the two towns. Coming from Los Angeles, I’m trained to expect “No” after pretty much every production question I ask. I was nervous, expecting the worst. But something about these conversations didn’t feel like any I had in the past. It finally dawned on me: “They’re wondering how they can help you.”

From there, it was a series of remarkable moments of kindness each day—whether it was someone giving us production space, allowing us to shoot in their home, or letting us store our equipment and warm our bodies in their office.

Saco and Biddeford remain supportive, welcoming us back for screenings. They may turn it into an annual event, which would be a dream. I’ll forever be grateful for everyone’s generosity. n

Holly Star will screen at Portland Media Center on December 13, Grand Theater in Ellsworth December 19, and City Theater in Biddeford on December 20 and 21.