Amargosa (2000)

Director:

Todd Robinson

Writer:

Todd Robinson (writer)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

The inspirational story of Marta Becket: 76-yr old singer, writer, dancer, painter, visionary, and her creation Amargosa.

Plot Keywords:

Belly Dance | Independent Film

Awards:

7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Paul Becker	...	Himself
Marta Becket	...	Herself
Ray Bradbury	...	Himself
Omar Felix	...	Himself
Paul Lyday	...	Himself
Mary McDonnell	...	Narrator (voice)
Tom Willett	...	Himself

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Sundance Channel

Trivia:

The soundtrack was provided by indie-singer/songwriter, Amy Cook. Director Todd Robinson discovered her when he entered the kitchen on location one morning and heard Amy's demo CD playing on production assistant's stereo. The production assistant, Leah Bathe, is a good friend of Amy Cook.

Good documentary

I probably would not have checked this movie out had I not stumbled upon the Amargosa Opera House near Death Valley a few years ago.

I'm glad I did as the artist's story was compelling and quite touching. The film went into directions that were unexpected, and not specifically related to her art--like the ghosts of the old hotel and Marta Becket's love of animals. These diversions made the film more engrossing, although those who felt Marta was too self-absorbed probably gave up on the film long before these segments. A documentary is only as good as its subject and this one is fortunate to have someone who I found to be fascinating.