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Wednesday, September 15, 2004 Locally made film wins awardSanta Fe The New Mexico-filmed movie, Around the Bend, recently won the Montreal World Film Festival's Jury Award and Christopher Walken was chosen best actor for his role as a grieving father. Around the Bend, which was filmed in New Mexico and was the first production by Warner Independent Pictures, had its world premiere at the festival. The movie was produced by Elliott Lewitt, written by first-time director Jordan Roberts, and stars Christopher Walken, Michael Caine, and Josh Lucas. It was filmed in New Mexico, partly in Los Lunas, and featured some local actors. "I congratulate Elliot Lewitt, Jordon Roberts, Christopher Walken, and the cast and crew for their accomplishment in creating a movie that is receiving international acclaim. Their success is New Mexico's success," said Gov. Bill Richardson in a news release. Around the Bend's win of the Montreal World Film Festival's Jury Award for Best Picture was the first time in 20 years that an American film has captured the coveted award. The film is set to be released domestically in select theatres Oct. 8 by Warner Independent Pictures. "Jordon and I are over the moon. We feel very honored by this recognition," said producer Elliot Lewitt. "We want to thank the State of New Mexico for making it possible for us to shoot this film. The combined savings from New Mexico's incentive package was approximately $450,000, which for a film like this made the difference between making and not making this movie," said Michael Andreen, executive vice president of production for Warner Independent Pictures. Around the Bend is one of 14 movies that have been shot in New Mexico since Richardson took office. The sites were chosen largely due to the incentives that make state buildings available free of charge. The production also took advantage of the New Mexico's Workforce Training Program, which allows film productions to be reimbursed 50 percent of trainees' wages for up to 1,040 hours of work. Other incentives offered by the state include:
"We are very excited the critical acclaim Around the Bend is receiving," said Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film Office. "This film showcases New Mexico's winning combination of the best financial incentives in the country, stellar crew and a diversity of picture-perfect locations." Regarding the filming locations Lewitt said, "Albuquerque and New Mexico are such great characters in this film. They helped Around the Bend shine on the international stage." In the film, Roberts tells a story of four generations of men who haven't seen each other in years, who are suddenly brought together by the chance to uncover the truth about their family's past. It's a journey that takes them out on the road to a world full of surprises — some comic, some dramatic, and all of them personal.
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