Keno Argyle is having a bad day.

He’s had it rough, living as a down in the dumps private-eye scraping for work in a time when the need for a detective in Los Angeles is next to none.

To make ends meet in this dead-end job, Argyle takes a job as a stand-in on a kung fu movie, gets kicked in the head, and finds himself on the surreal path of searching for the man who killed his partner, Harry Monument. Along the way, an Asian beauty with mixed intentions tries to seduce him. Her father, a half-Asian half-Irish man in charge of a historically Spanish part of town is plotting to pave Malibu Beach. Someone keeps drowning little people. And all this time Argyle’s still not sure where he’s going in his “artificial city of the mind” also known as Los Angeles.

Add the opening credits to this little tale, and you’ve got a tantalizing tease of the world premiere of the film “Harry Monument,” showing this weekend at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.

Written, directed and produced by Clinton resident Richard Evans, the film stars all islanders, including Dave Draper, Ken Church and Shannon Connell and a cast and crew of nearly 100. The film explores one man’s love/hate relationship with Los Angeles and the movies. It’s one relationship with which Evans is familiar.

“Harry Monument” is Evans’ tongue-in-cheek homage to film noir. It was filmed entirely on Whidbey, Lynnwood and Seattle on a shoestring budget from fall 2001 through summer 2002.

“Richard’s vision has taken this ensemble on an artistic ride,” said Shannon Connell, the film’s femme fatale character, from her new home in Grand Haven, Mich., earlier this week. “In this event, the process outweighs being able to see the results, but I can’t wait to see the results.”

Connell — who portrays Hedda McGill, an Asian beauty with a secret agenda — will fly in for the premier this weekend.

When watching “Harry Monument” local audiences should not be surprised to see friends and neighbors a little out of character as characters in this comedy mystery. From the colorful regulars at the Voodoo Lounge to hookers at the Tres Sombreros Bar, the film proves not all soccer moms on Whidbey are all that innocent in this Monument-al world.

No small part in Evan’s motivation behind making “Harry Monument” was this desire to involve the local arts community.

“It’s exceptional acting talent in what could stand as an example for those who would like to make films, but are daunted by the cost,” he said.

Evans is currently trying to get the film into film festivals across the nation.

Evans has 50 years of experience in show business, during which time he has worn the hats of actor, writer, director and producer for stage and screen. He appeared in over 300 film and television projects during his 35 years in Hollywood. Since moving to Whidbey has scripted over a dozen plays including “Club Ded,” “Wings of the Termite,” and “American Buffalo.”

One the first films Evans helmed was “Toys on a Field of Blue,” which was one of the first anti-war films of the 1960s. He said his second, “Original — Do Not Project,” lives up to its name. Only shown out of competition at Cannes 1972, the movie remains a well-kept secret.

“Harry Monument” is Evan’s first exploration through the world of digital photography. He said he hopes this venture fares well.

Ticket sales at the WICA premier are needed to fund spreading the word about “Harry Monument.” While at the premier, audience members can even take a little of the movie home. On the auction block for the cause will be items used in the movie, such as Keno’s hat, Wing Fat McGill’s Chinese robe and even a signed copy of the the director’s script.

Already buzzing through Evans’ head is his next movie project, “Glue,” which is based on his short plays, “Hello Kitty” and “The Modern Motor Driven Woodworking Shop.” Evans is already looking for investors and people to work behind the scenes. Evans hopes to start production in late 2004.

He said this next film grows out of who he is.

“I try to stay in touch with the realities of Northwest living and practice as much a hands-on lifestyle as possible,” Evans said. “I get a lot of great film and theater while picking up branches after a storm. I get even better ideas while mowing my lawn. What happens when I stack wood? You don’t want to know.”