#NMFilm The Righteous and the Wicked
Written and directed by Albuquerque native Craig Butler (Land of Entrapment, Duke City Nights), ultra low-budget western, The Righteous and the Wicked was shot right here in New Mexico during the summer of 2009.
Earlier this year the homegrown production was picked-up for nationwide distribution by Lionsgate and will be released on DVD November 15th. It will also be available on Amazon, Netflix, and more outlets to come.
In commemoration of the release and distribution of the film, the historic KiMo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque will host a free screening on December 2.
Writer/Director Craig Butler, members of the cast & crew will be on hand for introductions and a short Q&A. Doors open at 7 p.m., entrance is free and the DVD will be available for sale.
I did take advantage of the film incentive tax rebates and received great support from the state during the whole process. Despite the discouraging stories we’re hearing like losing Iron Man 3 to North Carolina, I still think there’s tons of potential here for making our own opportunities. I for one plan to keep making features here no matter what happens.
- Craig Butler on the state of NM Film
Watch the Lionsgate trailer here.
Synopsis: The Righteous and The Wicked is a blending of two classic movie genres: the Western and the heist film. It turns the Western convention of a lone gunman facing off with a gang of bad guys on its head by following the planning, execution, and consequences of the heist from the gang’s point of view. One-time cattle rustler and bandit Hoss Williams is getting too old for his life of crime and he knows it. His new gang has six members, each with a specific role to play in his final heist. Everything seems to be going according to plan, until one of them starts playing by his own rules.
