Moses in Albuquerque!

Albuquerque Film & Media Experience!  Yes! Abq Jew is proud to announce the World Premiere of Moses On The Mesa - right here in Albuquerque!

Moses On The Mesa
World Premiere ~ The Lobo Theatre
 Sunday June 9 ~ 2:00 pm

Surely you remember that Abq Jew blogged about MOTM last summer - right about the time that Abq Jew's son, Dov Yellin the Film Editor, was working on it.

To refresh your memory, Abq Jew wrote::

Every Jew in New Mexico (claims Abq Jew) knows the story of Solomon Bibo, the German-Jewish immigrant who came to the Land of Enchantment in the 1800s, married a NAP (Native American Princess), and became a real macher in Acoma, his wife's pueblo.

No Jew outside New Mexico (claims Abq Jew) knows the story. But (claims Abq Jew) they will soon. That's because a team led by Paul Ratner (and including his wife, Petra Ratner; noted NM actor Ron Weisberg (he just starred in Paloma); and Abq Jew's son, Dov Yellin the Film Editor) are about to release ... wait for it ...

Well, Abq Jew is thrilled to announce that the waiting is (almost) over! After a few trial runs in Berkeley, San Francisco, and L.A., the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience (AFME) is bringing MOTM to Abq for its World Premiere!

Perhaps you have heard of AFME, and perhaps not. But if you haven't heard of AFME yet - you certainly will now! Says the AFME website:

The Albuquerque Film & Media Experience (AFME) is a socially conscious and impactful event that represents creative achievement in film, music, arts and entertainment.

AFME programming includes new media and technology, domestic and international movies, food and art , engaging conversations, panels and face-to-face time with industry leaders in attendance.

This year’s international program will spotlight film making and artistry from Israel and the United Kingdom.

We are also honored to have the support and involvement of Hollywood Icon Robert Redford, world-renowned artist Sibylle Szaggars-Redford, director Joshua Michael Stern and many other top names. 

Here, in a nutshell, is what this all means:

Starting in June 2013, Albuquerque will have
its own Sundance-class film festival.

Why does Abq Jew care? And how, Abq Jew hears you ask, did Abq Jew & Son become involved in the MOTM project?

It all started last summer, when Sharon Levin of Gourmet to Go mentioned to Abq Jew that she was going to cater the MOTM team's upcoming NM film shoot.

As Abq Jew wrote in Got Midrash? - everyone loves a good story. And Solomon Bibo's story is better than most. Thus: emails were exchanged; phone calls were made. Abq Jew signed on, and mentioned to director Paul Ratner that - were he in search of a very good film editor, Abq Jew knew of one. Paul were! Thus: emails were exchanged; phone calls were made. Dov Yellin the Film Editor signed on.

OK, then Abq Jew hears you say. And why should I care?

Because, as noted above, this year’s international program will spotlight film making and artistry from Israel. In fact, Abq Jew has counted six (6) films of Jewish interest that AFME will present this year.

But that, as Captain Edward Smith may have said (but probably did not), is just the tip of the iceberg. Here is an excerpt from an AFME press release that explains it all:

New International Film & Media Experience
Launches In Albuquerque
Event will bring big Hollywood names including Robert & Sibylle Redford, Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) and Joshua Michael Stern (Jobs) 

The Albuquerque Film & Media Experience (AFME) at Nob Hill, June 3-9, 2013, is ready to take the Land of Enchantment to new levels with big programming and names that will make it one of the top movie festivals and destination events for the City of Albuquerque.

AFME is honored to have the involvement of Hollywood icon Robert Redford, world-renowned artist Sibylle Szaggars-Redford, award-winning actor Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution and The Usual Suspects) and director Joshua Michael Stern (Jobs, Swing Vote and Neverwas) amongst many other top names. 

There will be movies, student-created digital media, art exhibits, food and film events and a series of “Intimate Conversations” with talent throughout the community. 

Special events include: “An Evening with Robert Redford and Special Guests”; a night of performance art with Sibylle Szaggars-Redford and David Thor Jonsson with Robert Redford and Catherine Oppenheimer to benefit the National Dance Institute of New Mexico; and an incredible food and film dinner benefiting The Storehouse. 

Lastly, AFME’s international programming will showcase filmmakers and talent from Israel and the United Kingdom.  

AFME’s slogan, “Get Your Kicks & Flicks on Route 66”, incorporates the theme as events will be spread out along Central Avenue from Albuquerque’s Historic Kimo Theater, all the way up to the Hiland district on our country’s Mother Road – Route 66.   

[AFME is} off to an incredible start with support from the city and local businesses. “We are excited to support Albuquerque Film & Media Experience”, said Ann Lerner, Film Liaison for the City of Albuquerque. “We see this as a significant event that will add to Albuquerque’s international exposure for film making and the arts for years to come.” 

For additional information about the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience at Nob Hill, please visit www.abqfilmexperience.com.

Film schedules & synopses will surely follow.  Billy Nader, Abq Jew promises.

Abq Jew met last week with Ivan Wiener and Lainie “Sevante” Quirk, Co-Founders of AFME. And Abq Jew assures you: these folks are serious about Abq and serious about film. This could be good.

You can hardly wait for the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience. Abq Jew knows; he can hardly wait, too. So until then - here is the Moses On The Mesa trailer. Enjoy!

 

Moses on the Mesa is a story of Solomon Bibo, a Jewish immigrant who became governor of a Native American pueblo during the days of the Wild West. Written & Directed by Paul Ratner. Produced by Petra Ratner. Cinematography by Jozo Zovko. Production Design by Michael McCormick. Music by Cat Tasso & Franky Martinez. Costume Design by Lahly Poore. Edited by Dov Yellin. Starring Mathew Weiss, Candice Costello, Ron Weisberg, Aldred Montoya, Steve Corona, Randall Oliver and Chris Ranney. Copyright 2013, New Spirit Cinema.