Diggers is a poignant 2006 coming‑of‑age dramedy set on the clamming shores of Long Island during the waning days of the 1970s. Directed by Katherine Dieckmann from a screenplay by Ken Marino, the film follows lifelong friends -- played by Paul Rudd (Hunt), Lauren Ambrose (Zoey), Ron Eldard (Jack), Josh Hamilton (Cons), and Ken Marino himself (Lozo) -- as they struggle with family tensions, changing livelihoods, and shifting dreams amid a corporate takeover of traditionally small‑scale clam digging. The stellar ensemble also features Sarah Paulson as Julie and Maura Tierney as Gina, both delivering sensitive performances that deepen the film’s emotional core.
What makes Diggers especially resonant is its deep connection to Long Island, particularly its filming around Center Moriches, a small hamlet in Suffolk County. While much of the shoot took place in nearby Tottenville, Staten Island, the production notably returned to Long Island’s shores to capture the authentic look and feel of the island’s bayman culture. Ken Marino was born and raised on Long Island (he is originally from West Islip), and drew on his own family history for the film's screenplay. His father reportedly worked as a clam digger in Moriches.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on July 9, 2025.