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Friday, Mar 29th

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You are here: Community Film Gallup part of film takes for ‘Will Gardner’

Gallup part of film takes for ‘Will Gardner’

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New film chronicles Iraqi war vet

The independent feature film “Will Gardner” recently began filming around New Mexico and set shots include parts of Gallup and McKinley County, officials said.

Lisa Rodriguez, city film liaison, said the film, produced by Mona Vista Productions of Albuquerque, will be shot around the communities of Gallup, Albuquerque, Belen, Zia, Santa Ana and Jemez pueblos.

The film is about an Iraqi war veteran. Rodriguez said the essence of the film ties in with Gallup’s designation as the “Most Patriotic Small Town in America.” The city acquired the moniker in 2013 via a Rand McNally Best of the Road national contest.

“This is to a large degree a road-oriented film,” Rodriguez said. “Gallup, obviously, was selected because of its beauty and its magnificent scenery and history.”

New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis said, “This is really an intriguing production. It is a road trip movie that will showcase many New Mexico landscapes including three of our pueblo communities.”

Gallup officials praised the oncoming filming. “We our very excited about the upcoming film production of “Will Gardner” shooting in Gallup and in New Mexico,” Gallup mayor Jackie McKinney said. “The geography of Gallup should enhance the beauty of the film. I am also confident that the supportive citizens of our area will connect to the emotional story being told.”

Rodriguez and Maniatis said the production employs approximately 60 New Mexico members and 10 New Mexico principal actors and some 130 background talents that have New Mexico roots.

The film is directed by Max Martini and produced by Martini, Michael Hagerty, Tony Mark and executive produced by Tanya Hill and Matt Hanson.

Some of the cast members of the film include Martini, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” (2012), “Captain Phillips,” (2013); JoBeth Williams “Poltergeist,” (1982) and “ Kramer vs. Kramer,”(1979).

Rodriguez, city film liaison for a little more than decade and a former cast member in the blockbuster film Superman (1978) that filmed in Gallup, said she doesn’t know where the Indian Capital film shooting locales are for “Will Gardner,” but said the landscape and terrain of Red Rock Park would be ideal.

By Bernie Dotson 
Sun Correspondent