CENTERVILLE Matt Farnsworth admits he's "high maintenance" when it comes to filmmaking.But the actor/director/producer of "Iowa," the newly-release movie filmed in Centerville and other parts of Appanoose County two years ago, said he has taken his time in making the sure the film is just right.

Audiences will get the chance to see the final product at 7 p.m. tonight when it premieres at the Majestic Theater in Centerville.

In an interview with The Courier, Farnsworth said the film has been a real labor of love. "We're really excited about the release of the film there [in Centerville]," he said. "[The film] is what I envisioned because I was in control of this particular project."

The film is described as a "cautionary tale of love, crime, fantasy and addiction that follows two young Iowa lovers who decide to go into the 'batch' business - cooking their own methamphetamine - only to watch it burn a searing hole in their lives."

Farnsworth shot the independent film in Appanoose County in May and June of 2003. He and fiancee Diane Foster co-starred in the film, along with actors Michael T. Weiss, Rosanna Arquette and John Savage.

Farnsworth said he was compelled to tell the story of how meth has ravaged rural parts of the country, including southern Iowa and Centerville, which was home to his grandparents, the late Beryl and Thelma Farnsworth.

And filming in Iowa meant working with Iowa natives and local and area residents. "They were great ... they were much better than the people in Los Angeles," Farnsworth said. "They had open arms for us. "Everybody there really does work hard," he said, citing the Iowa work ethic.

Although tonight's showing is a first for Iowa, it's not the first time the movie has been shown. The film opened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, an event founded in part by Academy Award-winning actor Robert DeNiro. And at Tribeca, the film received several rave reviews. Farnsworth said while the film has entertainment value, "Iowa" is a serious and harrowing look at the effects of methamphetamine use.

"I hope it will spark [an anti-meth message] on what's going on," he said.

Jeff Hutton can be reached at (641) 683-5380 or via e-mail at jeff@ottumwacourier.com.