CELEBRATING 125 YEARS...
In 2015, Laguna Beach celebrated 125 years of Greeting! Starting with Old Joe Lucas in 1890 and continued today by Michael Minutoli; this tradition of spreading joy, happiness and love to all who pass by is unique and uplifting.
Eiler Larsen, who's statue is pictured here, filled this role from 1938 until his passing in 1975. The title of "Official Greeter" was bestowed upon Eiler on February 14, 1964.
In 2015, Laguna Beach celebrated 125 years of Greeting! Starting with Old Joe Lucas in 1890 and continued today by Michael Minutoli; this tradition of spreading joy, happiness and love to all who pass by is unique and uplifting.
Eiler Larsen, who's statue is pictured here, filled this role from 1938 until his passing in 1975. The title of "Official Greeter" was bestowed upon Eiler on February 14, 1964.
The Greeter Documentary Press Coverage
A WELCOME TRIBUTE
Eiler Larsen, a local icon known as The Greeter in Laguna Beach for more than 30 years, was famous for his friendly smile and waving to passersby along South Coast Highway. City leaders even declared Eiler to be Laguna’s official greeter, adding his footprints to the sidewalk for all to remember his welcoming ways long after his death in 1975. Now, Laguna-based Elestial Productions is filming a documentary about those who have adopted the role through the years, including Michael Minutoli who is often seen biking around town in his captain’s hat, greeting those he meets along the way.
“The inspiration to do this film came to me when I saw Michael waving at traffic while in front of the statue of Eiler Larsen,” says Martin Yewchuk, producer, director and head writer. “I wanted to find out why someone would engage total strangers in such a way.” - S.S.
Around Town - Laguna Beach Magazine l Firebrand Media, August 28,2014
A WELCOME TRIBUTE
Eiler Larsen, a local icon known as The Greeter in Laguna Beach for more than 30 years, was famous for his friendly smile and waving to passersby along South Coast Highway. City leaders even declared Eiler to be Laguna’s official greeter, adding his footprints to the sidewalk for all to remember his welcoming ways long after his death in 1975. Now, Laguna-based Elestial Productions is filming a documentary about those who have adopted the role through the years, including Michael Minutoli who is often seen biking around town in his captain’s hat, greeting those he meets along the way.
“The inspiration to do this film came to me when I saw Michael waving at traffic while in front of the statue of Eiler Larsen,” says Martin Yewchuk, producer, director and head writer. “I wanted to find out why someone would engage total strangers in such a way.” - S.S.
Around Town - Laguna Beach Magazine l Firebrand Media, August 28,2014
THE GREETER Documentary was selected as one of 2015's Most Memorable Images
by the Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper!
December 31, 2015
Related Articles about THE GREETER DOCUMENTARY:
Greeters Inspire Novice Filmmaker
“Every town should be as lucky as ours to have experienced a classic welcome from Eiler Larsen and now Michael Minutoli.”
By Jennifer Erickson, Laguna Beach Independent, March 6, 2015
Greetings From Laguna
THIS MARCH MARKS THE 125TH BIRTHDAY OF LAGUNA BEACH’S OFFICIAL GREETER.
HERE’S A LOOK BACK AT HIS LEGACY AND OTHERS WHO HAVE WELCOMED SO MANY TO OUR TOWN.
By Karlee Prazak, Laguna Beach Magazine, March 18, 2015
Three Documentaries Highlighting Laguna Life
We were going to make a film that was more about the greeter, but it ended up being so much more...”
Laguna Beach Magazine, November 3, 2015
"Greeter" Readies for a Close-Up
Local residents Martin and Tabatha Yewchuk will premiere of “The Greeter,” on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Seven Degrees, 891 Laguna Canyon Rd., and ticket sales will aid their efforts to promote the film worldwide...
Laguna Beach Independent, February 19, 2016
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Carrying on the Greeter Tradition He stands each day at Brooks Street and Pacific Coast Highway, shouting greetings to passersby and waving to motorists. He is not the first greeter in Laguna Beach, nor is he the official one. That latter honor goes to Eiler Larsen, the only one of Laguna's string of greeters to be approved by the City Council, the others having simply nominated themselves for the position... By Kathleen Luppi, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot, February 19, 2016 |
Photo by Kevin Chang for the Coastline Pilot |
The Producers Behind “The Greeter Documentary"
When Tabatha and Martin “Marty” Yewchuk moved to Laguna roughly three years ago, they were taken by many things—and especially by Michael Minutoli. They didn’t know at the time that Michael represented a longstanding tradition of Laguna Beach ‘Greeters’, whose history they would soon unravel. And, eventually, the couple’s curiosity would set in motion a documentary film aimed at exploring the ‘Greeter’ phenomenon in Laguna Beach.
By Elizabeth Nutt, Stu News, February 23, 2016
Friendly Audience Cheers "Greeter" Film
As guests arrived on the red carpet for the debut of the independent “Greeter Documentary,” they had the chance to meet the star of the show. Michael Minutoli, Laguna Beach’s current greeter, pedaled his famously photographed bicycle around the venue last month outside while talking kindly to movie goers and wishing them a “Happy Laguna Beach.”
By George Gore Browne, special to the Laguna Beach Independent, March 17, 2016
Greeter Fans Hope to Restore His Sculpture
It’s faded and cracked from the elements, and the hand is missing a thumb. Even so, the sculpture of Eiler Larsen, the Danish vagabond who metamorphosed into the revered Laguna Beach greeter, still draws throngs of visitors who pass his corner at Forest Ave and Coast Highway 41 years after his death in 1975....
By Daniella Walsh, Laguna Beach Independent, March 30, 2016
"The Greeter" - a documentary about the people who have filled the role, officially & unofficially, of The Greeter in Laguna Beach and their underlying motivations; a closer look at the power of the human spirit and the connectedness we all seek. This Greeting phenomenon has taken place over the last century and explores why something as simple as greeting, that is so often taken for granted, has meant so much to so many!
What the Greeters all had in common was a deep love for humanity and a genuine desire to connect, making each person's day brighter with a smile and a wave. The film highlights that they accomplished more than that; by accepting themselves and sharing their gifts, the Greeters encourage all of us to accept others and embrace and celebrate our differences.
"A POWERFUL AND INSIGHTFUL FILM, A REVELATION IN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN AND THE FACT WE ARE ALL CONNECTED!"
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Watch the 5 minute Teaser
This is not just a movie... it is a movement!
A movement where people accept themselves and therefore, grow to accept others. Freedom to BE who they are; expressing and sharing their gifts, all the while encouraging US to embrace and celebrate our differences.
We are in need of your support to help us spread The Greeter's message from Laguna Beach to the rest of the world!
Join us in The Greeter Evolution by visiting www.thegreeter.org !
 Dream BIG... Believe!
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FILM FESTIVAL ENTRIES:
Los Angeles Cinema Festival October 5 - 6, 2016 Denver Film Festival November 2 - 13, 2016 Slamdance LA January 20 - 26, 2017 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival February 5 - 20, 2017 LA IFS Film Festival May 3 - 15, 2017 Hollywood Film Festival October 26 - 30, 2016 Zero Film Festival New York November 7 - 10, 2016 Whistler Film Festival November 30 - December 4, 2016 Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 1 - 11, 2017 Sedona Film Festival February 18 - 26, 2017 Peace on Earth Film Festival, Chicago, Illinois March 10 -12, 2017 American Documentary Film Festival and Film Fund Palm Springs, CA March 29 - April 3, 2017 |
