Director Jesse Edwards’ feature is well intentioned, but paper-thin characters, implausible plot twists and soap-opera moments relegate it to hokey cheapness
On paper this movie looks like it might be following in the footsteps of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of Flower Moon, as another step forward in Hollywood’s representation of Native Americans. Directed by Jesse Edwards, it’s a contemporary western with a well-intentioned storyline about the economic exploitation of Indigenous people over generations, dispossessed of land and resources. The trouble is, it’s also quite possibly the most unconvincing film of the year, with characters so thin you can practically see through them, implausible plot twists and a couple of intensely cringey soap-opera moments.
Briza Covarrubias plays Lupe, a sweet and friendly mechanic in her 20s. Raised by her Navajo mum Adamina (Paula Miranda), Lupe has grown up believing that her father died before she was born. But...
On paper this movie looks like it might be following in the footsteps of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of Flower Moon, as another step forward in Hollywood’s representation of Native Americans. Directed by Jesse Edwards, it’s a contemporary western with a well-intentioned storyline about the economic exploitation of Indigenous people over generations, dispossessed of land and resources. The trouble is, it’s also quite possibly the most unconvincing film of the year, with characters so thin you can practically see through them, implausible plot twists and a couple of intensely cringey soap-opera moments.
Briza Covarrubias plays Lupe, a sweet and friendly mechanic in her 20s. Raised by her Navajo mum Adamina (Paula Miranda), Lupe has grown up believing that her father died before she was born. But...
- 4/8/2024
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
"I'm sorry Lupe, but this is the only way to save her." Lightbulb Film Distribution has unveiled an official trailer for the UK release soon of a modern western film titled The Stolen Valley, formerly known as Alta Valley when it premiered at a few small film festivals lat year. The debut feature from Jesse Edwards, the movie stars Briza Covarrubias and Allee Sutton Hethcoat as two outlaws, attempting to outrun those hunting them. To save her dying mother, Lupe, a Mexican-Navajo mechanic bands together with an outlaw cowgirl. In order to safely reach Alta Valley, they must venture together across the desert, outrun criminals, & confront a corrupt landowner. "The relentless action and stunning cinematography will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. And who doesn’t love a gruffly-voiced baddie?!" It also stars Micah Fitzgerald, Paula Miranda, Paulette Lamori, Oscar Balderrama, Ricardo Herranz, & Danny Arroyo. Looks solid, though...
- 3/13/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
A pregnant schoolteacher mysteriously disappears and sends the team scurrying for clues on NBC’s Found season one episode seven. “Missing While Indigenous” will air on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10pm Et/Pt.
Found stars Shanola Hampton as Gabi, Kelli Williams as Margaret, Brett Dalton as Detective Mark Trent, Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey, Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke, Karan Oberoi as Dhan, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir.
“Missing While Indigenous” Plot: Native American schoolteacher Denae Wagon decides to deliver her baby on the tribe’s reservation in Virginia but disappears before she can make it home. The search is complicated by a tense family dynamic and Denae’s high-risk pregnancy.
Gabrielle Elise Walsh as Lacey Quinn and Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely in ‘Found’ episode 7 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)
The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half...
Found stars Shanola Hampton as Gabi, Kelli Williams as Margaret, Brett Dalton as Detective Mark Trent, Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey, Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke, Karan Oberoi as Dhan, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir.
“Missing While Indigenous” Plot: Native American schoolteacher Denae Wagon decides to deliver her baby on the tribe’s reservation in Virginia but disappears before she can make it home. The search is complicated by a tense family dynamic and Denae’s high-risk pregnancy.
Gabrielle Elise Walsh as Lacey Quinn and Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely in ‘Found’ episode 7 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)
The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half...
- 11/9/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Blue Fox Entertainment has taken on worldwide rights to the American crime thriller “The Stolen Valley,” which it will be launching sales at the Berlin Festival’s European Film Market.
Directed by Jesse Edwards (“Draft Academy”), the film stars Briza Covarrubias and Allee Sutton Hethcoat. Edwards also wrote the script and produced the film with Joel Edwards (“Without You”).
The film turns on Lupe (Covarrubias), a Mexican-Navajo mechanic who teams up with an outlaw cowgirl (Hethcoat) to help save her dying mother. En route, they cross a desert, outpace criminals, and run into into a corrupt landowner.
Blue Fox’s U.S. division will release the film theatrically later this year. The film is produced by six-time Emmy winner Evolve Studios.
Said Blue Fox’s Founder James Huntsman: “Jesse and his team have done a great job creating a fresh take on the thriller genre set against the stunning backdrop of the American West.
Directed by Jesse Edwards (“Draft Academy”), the film stars Briza Covarrubias and Allee Sutton Hethcoat. Edwards also wrote the script and produced the film with Joel Edwards (“Without You”).
The film turns on Lupe (Covarrubias), a Mexican-Navajo mechanic who teams up with an outlaw cowgirl (Hethcoat) to help save her dying mother. En route, they cross a desert, outpace criminals, and run into into a corrupt landowner.
Blue Fox’s U.S. division will release the film theatrically later this year. The film is produced by six-time Emmy winner Evolve Studios.
Said Blue Fox’s Founder James Huntsman: “Jesse and his team have done a great job creating a fresh take on the thriller genre set against the stunning backdrop of the American West.
- 2/15/2023
- by Liza Foreman
- Variety Film + TV
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