Oscar winner Forest Whitaker is already garnering critical acclaim for his portrayal of Cecil Gaines in “The Butler”, coming to theaters on Oct. 18, 2013.
While the world waits to see that film in which Whitaker co-stars with Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, Jane Fonda, and many more stars bringing the riveting, real-life story of one man’s rise above a tragic and violent past to an epic life of service under a record seven U.S. presidents, the actor is hard at work in New Mexico on another dramatic film set.
The Land of Enchantment is full of rising stars, pictured above with a very slim Whitaker is one to watch. Local actor Joshua R. Aragon (Force of Execution, 2 Guns) is currently at work with Whitaker on “Enemy Way” in Albuquerque.
The production has been underway for a couple of months in the Deming, New Mexico area, the shoot is expected to continue to roll through the end of May.
“Enemy Way” is the story of ex-convict, Willie Garnett, who tries to use his second chance to escape his former life of crime. While imprisoned, he converted to Islam, which makes him a target of the local sheriff who is hell bent on exposing Garnett as a violent man.
Click and scroll here for cast & crew opportunities on this #NMFilm!
“Enemy Way” is due for theatrical release in the fall of 2013. In the meantime check out the first official trailer for “The Butler”.
Local media personalities often feel like a part of our families or circle of friends, what with waking-up with them, or spending part of our evening with them, they share news and entertainment with us, we become accustomed to them, even look forward to seeing or hearing from them.
When we read their interesting and/or informative social media posts we can all imagine the sound of their professional voice, maybe even picture their friendly face…well now that’s all you can do if and when you’re looking for your weather updates from arguably the state’s favorite weatherman, because KOB-TV has gone and unceremoniously FIRED meteorologist Jason Stiff.
After more than three years of upstanding work, amassing a substantial fan base all over the state, the veteran WX man is out of a job and likely out of the lives of New Mexicans entirely. Due to a 12 month non-compete clause in the broadcaster’s contract, if Stiff wants to work in his chosen profession he’ll have to leave the market, i.e, New Mexico for an entire year. Outrageous.
Yes, it happens. We’ve seen television and radio shake-ups before, disgruntled with other drop kicks to our media landscape and oftentimes it’s a damn shame. True, these career setbacks don’t take away from the talent of those who garner our admiration and respect, and their stars do and will go on to shine. But if you, like we are mad as hell and want to let your voice be heard, please exercise your right to free speech and contact KOB-TV general manager Mike Burgess at mburgess@kob.com or call the station at 505-243-4411.
NM resident attorney turned author, Jonathan Miller discusses his latest book, Rattlesnake Wedding.
The “Rattlesnake Lawyer” himself will be signing copies of “Rattlesnake Wedding” this Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Coronado Center.
Find out more about the author and check out all the literary works by Miller at http://rattlesnakelaw.com/.
The bad news is that arguably one of the greatest things to ever happen to New Mexico Film Production is coming to a close.
The good news (among much good news) is, there is still time to get your very own piece of the wonderment that is Breaking Bad, before cast and crew pack-up, move out of the studio lot and select locations around the Q, and ride off into the annuls of NMFilm history!
But perhaps the best news of all is that this now iconic piece of New Mexico will likely never die! Breaking Bad is and will remain one of the greatest scripted dramas the world of television (or any screen for that matter) has ever known – and Albuquerque will always have its place among the ever righteous cast and crew that has made it so!
With that, keep your eyes and ears open for the exciting things to come in the final days of filming right here in New Mexico. Bryan Cranston is making the rounds visiting local media outlets to say goodbye, promote the show and as always is working hard to help out and inspire in the community!
Here he is this morning on the air with JTD on the Peak, where among many things he shares that he WILL keep his NM home after the show wraps…additionally Bryan dishes just a bit on his feelings about the upcoming show finale.
Also this morning, Cranston and Steven Michael Quezada on the 94 Rock Morning Show >>
And finally, THIS BLOGETTE can exclusively report on some underground gossip that strongly suggests that there is more than just one ending to the epic series being filmed! IN FACT word on the wire is that there will be up to FOUR ultimate endings shot, with only the man himself, namely MR. VINCE GILLIGAN, knowing which will air on the historic night of the show’s close…
New Mexico’s own resident Guitar God, Ryan McGarvey has teamed with the innovative, life-enriching organization StringsforaCURE™, saying:
“I’m so incredibly honored to work with this organization, and to help for such a worthy cause. Please take a look at the great pieces of jewelry that they were able to make from my guitar strings. All proceeds go to help those with breast cancer.”
Elisa Guida, a two-time breast cancer survivor and jewelry designer, transforms guitar strings into one-of-a-kind bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings. Net proceeds are used to fund the foundation’s efforts to educate, comfort and support cancer patients. The foundation focuses primarily on helping those with breast cancer.
The StringsforaCURE™ Foundation helps women and men diagnosed with cancer, primarily breast. Our mission is to provide education, comfort and support to cancer patients, focusing on the breast cancer patient. We help the patient directly by providing gas, grocery or pharmacy gift cards. We also provide educational materials, comfort baskets and medical grants. We want to ease the burden during their cancer journey. We raise awareness on how important nutrition and wellness plays a part in the recovery of the cancer patient.
National and international musicians donate their used guitar strings to StringsforaCURE™, and I transform them into one-of-a-kind bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings. We also raise funds through our online Virtual Quilt, our Pennies2Patients Program and Pickin’ On Cancer fundraiser and also through private donations.
My dream is to recruit many nationally known musicians – including Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, among many others – to donate their strings to the foundation. We have received strings from several famous musicians, such as Jon Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, Paul Rodgers, Joe Bonamassa to mention a few. -Elisa Guida, Executive Director
The StringsforaCURE foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, and a Green Foundation. Their jewelry is made in the U.S.A. with net proceeds used to fund the foundation’s efforts to educate, comfort and support cancer patients.
More deets from the set of Force of Execution, now filming in the Q…
Tomorrow NM’s Own Jesus Jr. (Breaking Bad, In Plain Sight, 2 Guns, MacGruber) will face off, in the third epic battle of his career with the one and only Steven Seagal!
The actor said today, “Itz going down tomorrow…..our 3rd battle so far. 1st there was “URBAN JUSTICE” where it all started…..then there was “THE KEEPER”…and now…..”FORCE OF EXECUTION”……WORD…”
In part, in response to some rather scathing reviews (Slate, The New York Post) of her latest novel, “The Feminist and The Cowboy: An Unlikely Love Story” (originally titled, “Learning to Submit”), bestselling New Mexico author Alisa Valdes has blogged a shocking and disturbing sequel to the book which has just recently hit retail shelves.
Today on her official blog titled, “The Diary of Author Alisa Valdes”, she writes in horrific detail just some of the heinous events she said she suffered through at the hands of her once revered “Cowboy”, post completion of the manuscript that he inspired as it was submitted for publication. The lengthy account is a drama of its own, which chronicles not only the lifeline of the novel itself, but provides an inside look at the journey to publication to where it stands today, being sold and promoted, or a lack thereof.
There are so many sad accounts in this real-life saga, from the artist’s struggle in creating an honest to herself account as a memoir for her fans, to the truths of the levels of abuse men and women will suffer at the hands of those they love and profess to love, to the scrutiny and judgment bandied-about when any aspect of one’s life is put forth for public consumption.
Valdes never fails to provide the cold hard details for her fans, whether it be after the fact or against the wishes of her publishers, her truths are on display, often in gut wrenching detail:
“There was the night we argued at my house, and he was going to leave, as he always did, stonewalling and locking me out being his favorite weapons, his silent treatments going on sometimes for weeks on end, the emails finally coming in which he said he was willing to come back as long as I changed a long list of things about myself, and me always caving in…but that night, he was brutal again, when I tried to say I was sorry, when I tried to stop the inevitable stonewalling, he glared, called me a mouthy cunt, told me to get to my side of the bed and not touch him, told me that he couldn’t stand the sight of me, told me that if I really wanted to impress him then I’d be a good girl and just shut the fuck up, and his finger poking me in the chest, and then wagged in my face, telling me that my biggest problem, the reason he would never marry me after all, was that I was a woman who just didn’t know when to shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up, and me saying I would, that I would be quiet, and turning my back to him so he wouldn’t hear me cry, and him feeling the bed shake anyway and yelling at me that I was pathetic, that if I wanted him to stay then I better stop fucking crying, and me running into my closet with my phone to fall in a heap on the floor and text myself so that in the morning I’d remember that this was NOT okay, that this was NOT love, and him pretending the next morning that nothing had happened.”
Not okay, indeed. Valdes goes on to provide a likely sought after look at the “Cowboy” himself, and even includes a brief video of what looks to be an interview she may have conducted with him herself.
Los Angeles, CA— Arenas Entertainment Founder and CEO Santiago Pozo announced today that the independent film Bless Me, Ultima will be given a limited national release in February 2013. Arenas Entertainment is distributing and marketing the film, which had an extremely successful box office run in regional release earlier this year.
The film, Bless Me, Ultima, is based on the provocative award-winning novel by celebrated author, Rudolfo Anaya. Bless Me, Ultima opened on October 19, 2012 in just five New Mexico theaters. To date the film has grossed more than $325,000 in New Mexico and averaged a robust $16,000+ per screen on its opening weekend, making it the #1 film in the region that weekend. Similarly, the film was successful in its El Paso release in mid-September, averaging $10,000+ per screen on its opening weekend and grossing more than $100,000 since its September 21st debut in that city.
Larry Gleason, Arenas President of Distribution, said, “We are thrilled that audiences have fallen in love with this film and its rich characters and story.” He continued, “We cannot wait to bring Bless Me, Ultima to a wider audience across the country in February.”
“We firmly believe that this wonderful movie, which is based on a book that is celebrated in the American Southwest, can be embraced by the entire country,” said producer Mark Johnson, “The story of Bless Me, Ultima speaks to all of us.”
The film’s executive producer Christy Walton added “I kept and read the book by Rudolfo Anaya for over 25 years, always thinking that it should be shared in film. Now, I am proud to say that it is a wonderful movie as well as a wonderful book.”
“’Bless Me, Ultima’ is a truly special book that has engaged readers for decades with its universal, yet highly personal coming-of-age story,” said producer Sarah DiLeo, “We are honored to be a part of bringing this beloved story to the screen and sharing these richly drawn characters and unique culture with an even wider audience.”
Bless Me, Ultima will debut in more than 200 theaters across the country, including in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, Denver, Tucson and San Antonio.
Based on the controversial, first award-winning Chicano novel by acclaimed author Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima is a turbulent coming-of-age story about a young boy, Antonio (Luke Ganalon), growing up in New Mexico during World War II. When a mysterious curandera (healer) named Ultima (Miriam Colon) comes to live with his family, she teaches him about the power of the spiritual world. As their relationship grows, Antonio begins to question his strict upbringing by his parents (Dolores Heredia & Benito Martinez). Through a series of mysterious and at times terrifying events, Antonio must grapple with questions about the nature of divinity and his own destiny.
The film Bless Me, Ultima was written and directed by Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress), the executive producer is Christy Walton, producers are Mark Johnson, Sarah DiLeo and Jesse B’Franklin. The film is based on the novel by Rudolfo Anaya and stars Miriam Colon, Luke Ganalon, Dolores Heredia, Benito Martinez, Castulo Guerra and Joaquin Cosio.
The initial national release of Bless Me, Ultima will be in the following cities:
California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Monterrey, Palm Springs, Fresno, Bakersfield
Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma
Texas: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Harlingen, Austin, Laredo, Odessa, Corpus Christi, Lubbock
Following a year of messy headlines, detailing the ugly divorce battle between Dr. Paul Nassif and New Mexico born Adrienne Maloof, it appears that fellow “Real Housewife of Beverly Hills” star, Brandi Glanville is confirming that Maloof is now intent on suing her for some choice words bleeped out of the latest episode of their hit reality show!
“After what could be called a confusing episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Brandi Glanville wrote in her Bravo Blog that she regrets what she said about Adrienne, and that once again her mouth got her in to trouble… expensive trouble. She’s goes on to say that she pissed off the wrong rich person. You can read what has been reported about what Brandi allegedly said on the episode here. When a fan on Twitter asked Brandi what she said, she replied, “The truth,” but she couldn’t say what, “because she doesn’t want any more lawyer bills.” Bravo was not allowed to air what was said because of legal reasons…”
New Mexicans may remember the Maloof’s as the former owners of all the local Warren Properties and the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. Until 2010 the Maloof’s had exclusive proprietorship rights to the distribution of Boston Beer Company, Coors, Corona, Guinness, Heineken, Miller, Red Bull, and Tecate products throughout New Mexico. They sold Maloof Distributing in 2010 to Admiral Beverage Corporation.
For the past ten years the Maloof family has owned the NBA team, The Sacramento Kings. The family owns The Palm Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada; and are one of the largest single shareholders in Wells Fargo Bank.
The family also has their hands in entertainment and media with Maloof Productions and Maloof Music. The former being responsible for bringing us, Living Lohan in 2007…
Thanks Bub
In related ~news, Leann Rimes is performing in Albuquerque tonight…
Yay or nay?
Filmmakers, film lovers, and all manner of arts enthusiasts are sure to file into theaters for this weekend’s Santa Fe Film Festival. Among them will be industry insiders spurred to take notice of the abundance of highly crafted works of passion scheduled to screen at the four day event.
One such work is the orginal New Mexico film, “The Deception” which is garnering critical attention for its dramatic depiction of gay youth and adults dealing with homophobia within society and within themselves. Deception director, Jay Durrwachter and Producer, Jerry Angelo started the journey into the making of this film with “the purpose of creating cultural representation of a marginalized people, to induce discussion, interest, [awareness and understanding]“.
The sold out Sunday night premiere of this riveting film is a big step toward national and international possibilities for the filmmaker’s labor of love. The continuing journey of The Deception is bitter sweet as its rising acclaim comes after the untimely passing of the film’s beloved director Jay Durrwachter who passed away last year after completing work on the production.
Written and directed by Durrwachter, the film stars Jerry Angelo, David Busse, featuring Garrett Wade, Steve Corona, Chris Ranney, Mike Ostroski, Christopher Dempsey, Luce Rains, Andrea Good, Mike Miller and many more.
Jay Durrwachter’s sister, Darlene and their mother will be in attendance at Sunday’s Santa Fe Film Festival screening of his final work.
Darlene Durrwachter tells OHI exclusively, “Jay was [a] multi-talented and meticulous artist, and “The Deception” was the completion of a lifelong dream capping a three decade theatrical, television and film career. The creation of this film was truly a culminating life project for my brother, and I know that he would be so pleased that it was completed and is being shared and viewed.”
Calling all New Mexico small businesses and entrepreneurs:
Just in time for the holidays, OHI is once again offering some FREE advertising and social network promotions to state shops, restaurants, retailers and manufacturers!
If you are or have a locally owned and operated business, email: info@oneheadlightink.com for details on how to get featured in our upcoming #BUYNM listings!
Our “2012 Shop Local” page will be regularly updated to our subscribers and social network of friends and fans through New Year’s Day!
PLEASE be sure to include any special offers you may be able to extend to our readers, tie-ins you have with area charities, web links, pictures and any special New Mexico story you might have to share about your small business!!!
The words, “fifth and final” have been tough ones to swallow ’round here in the world of New Mexico Film, as two of the most long lasting and acclaimed productions in NM history have reached their end.
USA Network’s “In Plain Sight” has already drawn to a close and the end draws near for “Breaking Bad“. Yes, I’m crying! Whatever!
Anyhow, the New Mexico son who has worked, and worked in the entertainment industry to make a name for himself, and Nuevo México for more than 20 years, has achieved some of the recognition he deserves as one of the few, the proud, and the still living on “the best show on television”!
Tonight NM’s Own, Steven Michael Quezada continues to enjoy Emmy weekend with his Breaking Bad TV family and his beautiful bride, Cherise. Here, courtesy of Rio Grande Media Group, is YOUR NIGHT at the 2012 Emmy’s with Steven Michael Quezada!
POINT via Ann Lerner, City of Albuquerque Film Liaison:
The film industry is alive and well in Albuquerque.
We’ve seen a variety of film activity in the area this year. “In Plain Sight” finished Season 5, filming out at I-25 Studios and on location around town. “Breaking Bad” shot eight episodes of Season 5, and will be back in December for eight more episodes. “The Last Stand,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, filmed in Downtown Albuquerque in January. (Watch the trailer to see an impressive stunt across the intersection of Fifth and Marquette.)
And, oh yes, the largest movie being made in the world this year, “The Lone Ranger,” chose Albuquerque Studios as its home for offices and sets and built two western towns out by the Rio Puerco, filming here for months.
“2 Guns” just wrapped, “Lone Survivor” starts filming in October for nine weeks. Two other films will be shooting this fall as well.
Numerous independent filmmakers are making low-budget projects – from features, to shorts, to webisodes.
So why do people like to film in Albuquerque? Besides the 310 days of sunshine, no natural disasters, close proximity to Los Angeles, an easy-to-use film tax incentive and a strong film crew base, we have a world-class infrastructure of stages, equipment companies, suppliers and businesses relating to the movie industry.
And Albuquerque can double for many different location looks – we can be Cincinnati (“Wild Hogs”); Munich (“Beer Fest”); Mexico border crossing (“2 Guns”); Los Angeles (“Crash TV”); New York (“The Resident”).
But I think a large part of the reason people like to film in Albuquerque is because of the open reception filmmakers receive from neighborhoods and businesses and the administration.
We offer one-stop film-permitting. We recognize that filming dates may change due to weather or illness or some other factor and are flexible.
Our filming guidelines require production companies to limit the number of large vehicles in a neighborhood and provide notification of filming dates and times. We have a program asking productions to give $100 to the neighborhood association for each day of filming. To date, over $60,000 has been raised.
We respect the production companies and welcome them for bringing in new money and providing well-paying and creative jobs for our citizens.
Production companies respect our highly skilled labor force and willingness to allow filming in the area.
Our reputation is strong. The Film Office is busy reading scripts and leading location scouts for potential future work. We’re issuing permits. Our phones are ringing.
Thank you for keeping Albuquerque film friendly!
COUNTERPOINT via Jon Hendry, President New Mexico Federation of Labor:
Our film liaisons are a hidden treasure.
The hard work of such great people as Ann Lerner in ABQ, Jan Wafful in Alamogordo, and Lisa Van Allen in Santa Fe, along with a dozen others around the state who back up the New Mexico Film Office and do great work in their communities, is a huge part of our industry success. I believe that Ann’s excellent editorial in today’s Journal speaks highly of her office, her pride in the community, and the effect that we in film have had on so many ancillary businesses. Bravo!
However, I respectfully disagree on the state of the NM film business. When 50/1 wraps, there will be slim pickings for NM crews through Breaking Bad‘s final eight episodes. While Lone Survivor is trying hard to employ as many locals as they can, for technical reasons they have to bring in more crew than we would like in fields where we are not strong. Hopefully, that is something we can all address in the future. One film can’t carry more than 1000 qualified technicians plus actors, stunt people, drivers, PA’s, and the host of others who have come to rely on this business. Rumors of an eminent super-hero movie only help a little, since we know that the vast majority of key or best boy positions will not go to locals. While they may fill hotel rooms, rent cars, and buy lumber, these kinds of movies don’t always help the working crew. We can’t expect micro budget pictures to pay comparable rates or the benefits we need; that’s ok, bring them on, we appreciate them, but it’s not the road to full employment.
As well as things are going, the warning lights are also flashing, and I believe we’re reaching that critical area where we need to deal with these situations in the upcoming legislative session. After two years we know what works and what doesn’t. My suggestions follow. On most I think you’ll find general industry consensus and on others some dissension, but I think we’ll find some suggestions that the legislature can agree with and that will allow the taxpayers to feel they are getting a good return on their investment.
1) We need to return to the original legislative intent of $50 million. In order to do that we need a cost of living increase as we’re the only “capped incentive”. That is going to seem extremely moderate now but we need the protection for the hyper inflation that may occur and could basically wipe us out of the business. By doing so we ensure that in real dollars the $50 million stays constant.
2) TV series employ more New Mexicans in all facets of the business than anything else, and we need to give them the certainty they will get their money when they make a commitment to us which could be up to five years. I’m open to suggestions on how we do this but I think the way is to exempt them from the cap.
3) We need to make some technical changes in the language of that rather rushed bill that allows a rollover of unused credits that we can accumulate as we already have a substantial balance from the last few years and a payout of $50 million. There is no reason for it to be staggered if we have the money. Sitting on it doesn’t help anyone, especially the state budget process.
4) We need to set up a system that, when Tax & Rev has approved a rebate, picture companies can monetize this. I believe the private banking system can look at doing this. I also believe some of us in NM might contribute to a fund that would not only give a return but help us get more pictures and, most importantly, ABQ, Bernalillo County, SF city & counties, Alamogordo, and Otero County could look to their bonding capacity to help this occur. It would be very useful if we could put this money in to the project while they are still here shooting and spending money and not two years down the road when they are long gone. Alaska is looking at a cash flow model, private funds can move much quicker than governmental entities, but Tax & Rev would have to come up with a certification program.
5) Perhaps most controversially, I think we need to do much, much more to ensure that the companies generating the rebates for the production entities are NM based and the money stays in the state. It’s almost a game to figure out how to make out of state people and equipment and other purchases rebateable. We shouldn’t be asking Tax & Rev to play “whack a mole”. When we solve one issue another pops up and that’s not good. We thought the bricks and mortar requirement solved this but in some cases it made it worse. I want to be able to say with hand on my heart that we rebate no one from out of state and we keep the money here where it was generated and where it’s needed. Any perception that this is welfare for Hollywood isn’t good. This should be a legislative priority.
I’m open to other suggestions. What I can’t work with is a situation where on the top end we’re being squeezed by the amount of money we can put out and on the bottom end we are squeezed because these companies are employing fewer New Mexicans and spending more money with large chains who don’t pay taxes here or out of state companies are working through facilitators instate that help them get an undeserved rebate. If anyone else feels we’re doing sensationally well I am happy, after ensuring confidentiality, to share payroll figures with you – it’s not great.
FYI: Film is a New Mexico industry, chile production is a New Mexico industry, hell it’s practically a regional dietary requirement. Both of these homegrown topics and more are currently receiving a tidal wave of national attention, thanks to what amounted to a 7 minute conversation aired on the radio and broadcast on the web out of NM.
It all started earlier this week with a local morning radio show announcement and subsequent broadcast that was met by cheers and some resounding jeers from a few of their listeners, local and national media alike.
The name of the show is Morning Mayhem, not CNN or Fox News, yet a multitude of responses to the show’s major get, in the way of a quick telephone interview with the leader of the free world, are highly critical of the tone and content of the broadcast.
Kiki gives us local traffic and pop news on our way to or at work. Carlos D and Danny V steer those morning airwaves with humor, pop music and relatable banter. All while being cute and a little crazy to entertain their fellow New Mexicans in their daily grind.
You wanted hard hitting questions? Well, they hit home the fact that they are in touch with their audience and that the President of the United States can hold his own while talking to the 99%. The 99% of us who eat chile, who raise kids, who still tune in to local radio for a little entertainment and sometimes some advice from the top of our government that says, hey don’t forget to register to vote. Tell your kids to be persistent, and yeah I’m human too.
Shame on you for throwing shade at persecuting fellow broadcasters (I’m looking at you Joe Vigil) for reaching their audience on a base level that didn’t include the rhetoric of the already overly abundant negative campaign ads or the bias of a party slanted “news” program.
Lastly, if you’d prefer to hear a “news” report on a candidate who likely wouldn’t know what New Mexico chile is without first asking a high paid advisor how to answer, or one who already has the “super power” of evading taxes to amass staggering personal wealth, change the station, it’s a free country.
Well, the President should have WON over EVERY true New Mexican this week. While in Pueblo, Colorado a few days ago, a guy was bragging to him on how great the Burritos were, and how Nothing beats Colorado Green Chile…. To which he replied, “I won’t tell the folks in New Mexico you said that!” -McG
UPDATE 8/27/2012:A (*240 SEAT CAPACITY) New Mexico Premiere has been scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, details here.
After a dust-up surrounding the fully booked El Paso, TX world premiere of the New Mexico inspired, shot and beloved film, Bless Me Ultima, local industry insiders are talking.
Albuquerque Film Office Director, Ann Lerner says, “I believe they (the producers) were looking for an unbiased audience reaction to their movie – with an audience that was probably not so familiar with the story of Bless Me Ultima as all of us New Mexicans are. The story is quite dear to our hearts after all!”
Local crew and actors who worked on the production have been widely disappointed along with rabid fans of the literary work (by Albuquerque resident and iconic author Rudolfo Anaya), on which the movie is based, to learn that there is no local screening currently scheduled.
A rep for one of the production companies behind the movie, Monkey Tree Films, has assured locals that a New Mexico premiere is in the works.
State Film Office Director Nick Manianatis confirms to OHI, “We’ve been working with the producers in planning a cast and crew screening in NM – more to come.”
While local talent awaits their time to screen this passion project, Anaya himself has had a private viewing the film. The author had this to say to La Bloga:
The movie is excellent, it captures the story and characters. Every single person attending the screening gave it fantastic, positive reviews.
I am positive la gente is going to love the movie. Like my friend John Nichols said, a novel becomes a short story when turned into a movie. Don’t expect to see the full novel on screen. Everyone knows that.
Carl Franklin did a great job with the story and bringing characters together as familia. Except for Miriam Colón, the cast are actors that don’t have big celebrity names. I hope they do after their roles in the movie. Everyone did excellent work.
Carl Franklin, the director, did talk to me and asked me questions, but the screenplay is his work. I approved his work. Some themes in the novel are left out, but the story works.
Carl Franklin
I met the director several times here at our home. I was invited to play a role in the movie and attend all shooting events, but I stayed home. My feeling was to let them do their work. I don’t make movies.
I met all the actors at the cast party. They had only positive things to say of the process. Miriam Colón visited me here at our home. She is lovely, a perfect Ultima. Her face shines in the movie, so does Luke (Ganalon) who plays Antonio.
…the people will love it. Will there be critics? Of course. All art is criticized if only by responding to it. Let the people enjoy and judge. I feel confident the movie will be around in 50 years.
