Justin Kurzel is set to direct his next feature, “Burning Rainbow Farm,” a drama based on a real-life police siege in 2001. Actors Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall will lead the cast.
The film tells the story of Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm, two gay cannabis activists who founded Rainbow Farm in Michigan during the 1990s. Promoted by High Times magazine as one of the world’s top stoner travel destinations, the farm became a haven for marijuana advocates. However, when the couple’s young son was taken by authorities, tensions escalated, leading to a violent standoff with police. The siege ended in tragedy and became one of the most dramatic in recent U.S. history.
“Burning Rainbow Farm” is based on Dean Kuipers’ 2006 nonfiction book Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke. The screenplay was adapted by Australian writer Tommy Murphy, known for Holding the Man and Significant Others.
Kurzel described the film as a love story and a defiant stand against intolerance. “It’s about two outliers who raise their middle finger to hate and declare, ‘This is who we are, and we dare you to take it from us,’” he said. “I’m excited to bring this courageous couple to life with Sebastian and Leo. Their union will be one to remember.”
Production is being handled by Nicole O’Donohue, Justin Kurzel, and Alexandra Taussig for Thirdborn. They are joined by Adam Shulman of Anonymous Content, Alix Madigan of Mad Dog Films, and Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel of Votiv.
“Burning Rainbow Farm” will be presented to international buyers at the Cannes Film Market by Rocket Science, while CAA Media Finance will oversee North American distribution rights.
The project marks Kurzel’s latest work following 2023’s The Order, which screened in Venice. Originally set to be directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the film was later passed to Kurzel, reportedly after Stan brought the project to his attention.
Stan is represented by CAA, Brookside Artist Management, and Sloane Offer. Woodall is represented by WME, Hamilton Hodell, Anonymous Content, and Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson + Christopher. Kurzel is repped by HLA Management and Sloane Offer, while Murphy is represented by Cameron’s Management and Range Media.
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