Lost in New Mexico (the Movie)

New Review for 'Lost in New Mexico' from Moving Arts Journal

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Mon, 5 Jul 2010 06:21:00 -0700

Lost in New Mexico: The Strange Tale of Susan Hero (2007)
[*producer's note - release date is actually 2009, 2007 date reflects working cut date]

ByEric M. Armstrong -- Published on Jul 4th, 2010 and filed under Film Reviews, Indie. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Jason Rosette’s no-budget tale of desolation, desperation and loss subtly weaves together the disparate lives of a group of struggling Southwesterners in “Lost in New Mexico.”

Susan (Drea Pressley), grieving and aimless after the loss of her newborn daughter, thoughtlessly seeks out a rogue animal-cloning geneticist (Dr. Alan Rice) to reverse, or subvert, the most inevitable of human events — death. Along the way she encounters mysterious illegal immigrant, Javier (Jaime Estrada), and the two run away from their respective troubles together, forging an unlikely friendship of circumstance and innate understanding.

Running parallel to this central storyline is a tandem of narratives: one, following a down-on-his-luck Native American pottery artist (David Paytiamo) scrambling to find money to send his daughter to college, and the other, a hapless FDA agent (Jason Rosette) tracking down the clone-doctor to break up his illegal operation.

The narratives are eventually entwined quite nicely, although the characters aren’t necessarily aware when this happens, which makes it all the better.

Rosette’s direction is mostly adept. He employs a number of small touches that bring the film’s mise-en-scène to life. The Southwestern setting properly reflects the desolation and intense desire to seek, which drives virtually every character in the film.

The script is surprisingly consistent, with incrementally more substantial setups and payoffs plotted steadily throughout the unfolding story making it clear that a lot of care was taken in the writing process.

Although the setting couldn’t be more apt for the players and their stories, the visual composition is noticeably lackluster. This is understandable and quite common in micro-budget films, but minor adjustments in color correction, framing and maybe even different shutter speed, lens filter and video rendering choices may have increased the film’s overall visual appeal.

Sub-professional equipment can also artificially diminish an actor’s performance, which may have been the case here. No one stood out as particularly magnetic, though no one was bad enough to the point of distraction either. It would be interesting to see Rosette’s obvious abilities supported by a professional cast and crew and studio-grade equipment.

The hook of “Lost in New Mexico” is its human cloning element and the ethical questions that very real dilemma raises. While controversial issues like this are certainly compelling, the film really shines when it explores the emotional implications of such drastic thinking. ”Lost in New Mexico” wisely steers clear of the minutiae of genetics and cloning, using that hook as nothing more than a portal into the intimate and heartbreaking sphere of a mother’s loss. Everything else is merely ancillary to that central internal conflict. And though it could have used some minor tweaking, “Lost in New Mexico” is a unique and interesting take on the fluidity of technology versus the recurring commonality of the human condition.

New Review for 'Lost in New Mexico' from Rogue Cinema

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:40:00 -0700

Herewith...

Film Reviews: Lost in New Mexico: The Strange Tale of Susan Hero (2010) – By Katie Wynne / Rogue Cinema

Described as “a story of seekers,” Lost in New Mexico: the Strange Tale of Susan Hero is exactly that. A desperate young student stuck in a throwaway job seeks the help of an animal cloning expert, Dr. Morell, to bring her deceased daughter back to life. With a charming illegal immigrant sidekick, Hero searches for Morell who is also being pursued by the FBI for his questionable practices. Also, a Native American factors in somehow…

The movie reminds you with each shot that it is genuinely “independent.” From the FBI office that has a slider door, to the jerky slow motion sequences of reflection and dismay, the film may lose a good amount of viewers based solely on the production. That said there is something special here.

The premise, the characters and the general spirit of this movie make it more than another out-of-the-box Indie flick. It’s the sort of film that would probably be a sleeper hit if it had the money behind it. Doctor Morell has a kind of hippy-dippy attitude, the FBI agent experiences a Point Break-esque finale after an excruciating personal loss, and the immigrant even adds his own flavor of humor and morality into the mix. All of these elements float around within the film, in a way lost themselves, but not beyond recovery. Oh, and did I mention there is a Native American component? There is. In fact, it should have been a larger part of the story, but it sadly plays a more meager role than you may expect or wish it to.

If Pet Sematary and The Mexcian were ran headfirst into one another, the result might be this movie. That said, it’s definitely a fun little Sunday afternoon film to check out. Take the journey with Susan Hero and see what you find. Visit http://www.lostinnewmexicomovie.com.

:: LOST IN NEW MEXICO available territories ::

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:21:00 -0700

'Lost in New Mexico: the strange tale of Susan Hero' is currently repped for TV in North America and selected territories in Europe by Goliath Arts.

For all other inquiries, please contact Camerado directly.

"Lost in New Mexico" Trivia

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:55:00 -0700

...and now for a bit of trivia.

Did you know that "Lost in New Mexico" was financed by a World Trade Center disaster grant, received by (the production company) Camerado after their original offices on Hudson Street, New York -- six blocks from Ground Zero -- were shut down due to toxic debris and lost power?

Find out more at http://ww.lostinnewmexicomovie.com

:: Camerado's 2nd feature, "LOST IN NEW MEXICO" secures distribution through sales agent, Goliath Arts::

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:14:00 -0700

////////////////////////// +++ ////////////////////////// >>>

:: Camerado's 2nd feature, "LOST IN NEW MEXICO" secures distribution
through sales agent, Goliath Arts::

Camerado's 2nd feature, the feature road movie, "Lost in New Mexico:
the strange tale of Susan Hero", secures distribution via TV & Motion
Picture sales agent, Goliath Arts - http://www.goliatharts.com
.

Aside from other areas, Goliath Arts will be handling all Domestic US
and many European TV sales for the title - please visit Goliath Arts
at www.goliatharts.com - http://www.goliatharts.com
to inquire about a complete list of available territories.

////////////////////////// +++ ////////////////////////// >>>

Part 3 - "LOST IN NEW MEXICO: the strange tale of Susan Hero"

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:42:00 -0700

Part 2 - "Lost in New Mexico: the strange tale of Susan Hero"

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Video Doc: "The Making of Lost in New Mexico"

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:20:00 -0700

From the deserts of New Mexico to the jungles of Cambodia...

1/10/04 HURRICANE & the making of "Lost in New Mexico"

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:51:00 -0700

The naturally talented David Paytiamo (left, who played Lonnie), filmmaker/director Jason Rosette (center, who also played FDA Agent Carl Wisconsin), and the improvisationally gifted Dale Waseta (right, who also played Uncle Waseta) from LOST IN NEW MEXICO (c) 2008

Went to the volcanoes yesterday with Marcie, who’s lived here all her life and knows all the great locations. I intend to utilize her expertise on finding the sweetest, most incredible locations known to man here in New Mexico. Well, if I can find some unique locations which haven’t been “shot out”, then I’d be satisfied.

There continues to be no real work here, or apparently, anywhere in the US. I’ll work one day next week as a mock juror for a law firm, and there have been a few entries for a movie festival I’ve been putting together, The William Bonney Picture Show.

Might take a job in Xeriscaping (a type of desert landscaping which uses little water) if I get the offer. The money’s really low but it would allow me to travel around the area and get to know some locations.

Also planning to start a video family tree operation, but hell, maybe I’ll just crank out some porn? There is a job at PussyCat Video (porn video shop on Central), might take that just to observe the structure of the porn business for a while to assist with my evaluations of the industry.

In any case, I do intend to stick to the April 1st start date for Susan Hero, no matter what, and in a way, part of me is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to start on the movie with just a shoestring and a prayer, as an experiment in faith. Ultimately, though, I do want a proper budget, mainly because I want to shoot on film, with name talent and get some real distribution.

One idea that has occurred to me is to ask the principals to stay in character the entire shoot, while I just tag along as camera man/director with occasional notes. This of course falls back on the quasi-doc concept which we’d envisioned as a possibility long ago.

In any case, the movie will get made. One position on shooting on a super low budget is that it could ruin a good property which demands higher production values, etc. But what’s the alternative? That the movie, after all this struggle and hardship and effort, does not get made?

Bullshit

Summary of our recent favorable court ruling [Pages 1 and 2]

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Tue, 9 Jun 2009 07:26:00 -0700

Herewith; thanks to everyone on our legal team who helped us overcome this last hurdle:

Download the PDF [Page 1]

Download the PDF [Page 2]

HURRICANE & the making of "Lost in New Mexico" 12/20/03

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 18:59:00 -0700

At Applause Casting (aka "Applaud Casting" from HURRICANE); one of many casting sessions to find local NM talent for "Lost in New Mexico: the strange tale of Susan Hero".

Update, quickly: moving to the small house at Harry's. Slightly more expensive, but I hope worth it. Netflix is on course with hopeful sale for BookWars, will call Monday for final word.

Have spent the past month hauling ass looking for work; lost my backpack in the hills, I set it down to go wander, then dusk started to fall and everything looked different. I couldn’t find it and had to head back before dark. I hope I can find it tomorrow at daylight.

After all effort with Everet, only got onto Around the Bend tomorrow as an extra, as background actor for a day; shee-it. Possible upgrade if they need someone to say a few lines??

01/02/04

All hail the New Year, which appears like a laughing idiot on my Winter doorway. Was in Seattle for holidays (big general disruption, but fun with the folks, as all contacts and industries shut down anyway), now back, finally upgraded my living situation to a place I actually enjoy living in—a small cottage house, my first free standing structure since the old house
back in Ohio. All thanks to Harry the Hat Man: he’s queer, he runs a hat and jewelry shop on Central Ave.

Seventeen years in a house with my folks in Ohio, seventeen years in rented apartments from coast to coast. Notable exception was the bungalow in Venice where I stayed at Dave’s place on the couch, oh, yea, and the Red House on the corner of Rose and Main near Poco Loco Chicken
Restaurant: a psycho scriptwriter named Jedd lived there, whose roommate I’d unsuspectingly become…

A couple years later, when I returned to Venice beach to say hello to my pals in the Dudley Avenue house (some friendly beautiful beach girls and guys, all with lean pecs smooth and plump as chicken breasts) one of the girls suddenly interrupted as we were talking and said ”don’t look now, there’s that stalker I was telling you about”.

Sure enough, I turned and saw him, my old roommate, Jedd, my old roommate from the Red House. As if he sensed my familiar but long absent being, he recoiled from where I stood, and quickly turned back from whence he came.

Anyway, I’ve said “fuck it”. And I don’t care. I just want to get this movie done, one way or another, again even if I shoot on a shoestring. So, if both producers say no, or can bring nothing to the table, I still inch forward towards my April shooting date and do it with sock puppets.

I look to my right and left and see great new movies, but a lot of stars and talent and successful filmmakers have relatives in the business, or they themselves are well-off to begin with (though they are often reluctant to admit it openly; curious they don’t actually, it’s not a defect), and I can’t compete with them head on.

I have to be more creative, go through the backdoor somehow.

HURRICANE & the making of Lost in New Mexico 11/10/03

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 07:18:00 -0700

11/10/03

Some time has passed with the adjustment of arrival in New Mexico. Set up temporary digs in a makeshift chamber in Alvin’s warehouse, he runs an audio video place here in Albuquerque.

Then, as I was running out of money, he got me a gig shooting video, EPK/behind the scenes on a feature here in town, Formola, which finally concluded early this month.

The director’s an OK guy, but I hear his father paid for his movie: 200 Grand! Reminds me of my NYU film school days, when kids were regularly “raising” $40,000 to shoot their senior thesis projects (primary investors being their parents).

In any case, I learned that I might have come to New Mexico at the right time, and completely by chance, because recent legislation has been enacted to provide huge financial incentives for films shooting in New Mexico.

It's possible I can tap into their interest free loans, like a lot of Hollywood productions which are chomping at the bit to come here and shoot.

Now, settling and reflecting. A little burnt out. I can better recall the journey out here, beyond Ohio. I shared the ride out here (from Pittsburg) with an incredibly annoying woman who was headed to Taos, I found her on Craig’s List.

12/16/03

Will try to encapsulate. Have been distracted by moving, finding a place to live: survival mode AGAIN. Fuck it. Hey, I know, I chose this, this life, this occupation (although I’ve tried again and again to change, but it keeps pulling me back). I am full of frustration verging on rage though, at times, which I’ve had to vent via lifting weights, running, taking Thai classes at the Wat.

All the machines slowing down, breaking down. All the bums, all the doubtful people, angry people…people sad at the bus stops, sad at the burrito stands, sad on the wide and lonely streets of Albuquerque.

In short, at a low ebb now, very doubtful, restless due to lack of work (though hours each day spent looking, faxing, emailing resumes, etc.) I really don’t care what anyone says, these past three years, even since slightly before 9/11, have been a depression in the USA--owing largely to
the former cheerleader, GW Bush, in the White House. I’ve never been really political, but somehow, in the past couple months, I’ve grown a lot more so.

Am truly tired of The American Way, or at least the folks running this country now, and it’s hard to tune it all out. Guess that’s why it’s so refreshing to go to the Buddhist temple here in town to study Thai…I’m the only Farang in a class of Thai kids, taught by a genuine Thai ladyboy.

Anyway: have not been working much for over a month as film connections and momentum dried up. Contrary to what I thought, I was not brought on to shoot EPK behind the scenes on Around the Bend as I thought I might be…Warner Bros. brought in their own EPK team.

Thoughts constantly returning to Greece, my old pal and sweetheart there, Joanna, hope she’s OK. Have decided that I would buy a ticket to Greece, sell off everything I own and go there, if/when I cannot make this picture.

Met with Walton in Santa Fe. He likes the script. He says he could almost come on board but he has to wait for a Shirley McClain movie to come through.

Also: had the first script reading at the Applaud Agency, office of my new agent, Denny Garberella (who generously and graciously is helping out anyway he can). Denny is a real solid guy, wears cowboy boots and smokes cigars, says, “Rosezzi, you little wop!” (even though I’m not Italian) every time we meet.

It went very well and it was great to hear the words aloud at last, especially as it helped me cut and edit the script, make it more compelling, less flaccid.

Then: sent the final tweaked and super-polished version to Mr. Dafoe’s assistant back in New York, with the hopes that great actor will revisit the script as he mentioned he would.

This movie’s waited long enough anyway. I went to Berlin last November (damn it’s been over a year…) with my 9/11 disaster money, looking for co-production folks, made contact with Road Movies, went to X Film group, went to Marlene Dietrich’s Babelsberg Studios--all this on my own dime--and spoke with co-production folks in the hopes we could shoot in Germany, to be eligible for co-production money.

Spoke with Ralph from Fanes Film Group, and just about every player in Germany, and saw that it would be highly unlikely to pull off a coproduction.

Not long after my return, I heard from Road Movies that Das Werk went under (Road Movies’ parent company) and I knew for sure my chances were gone in that regard.

IFP calls their magazine a “rant”. If they only knew…But I do not blame, cannot cast blame, do not shuffle off responsibility. I am accountable for my whole path thus far—although I’m plagued by these visions, stories that need to jissom out, burstingly. This has at times led me to make rash and uncalculated decisions with limited capital.

Thus, [documentary filmmaker] Michel Blackbridge, who I actually felt misdirected anger towards at one point, has truly been a great friend and mentor and advisor. He was instrumental in getting BookWars made and exposed. Everything would be different without him, regarding that movie at least.

(The reason I’d felt anger towards him: I felt somehow that he should have told me in advance that documentaries don’t make money, that I’d be spending a lot of time and effort—a lot of my YOUTH--on something that might not provide any real financial payback. I was angry that he had not told me that it would cost a lot of time, effort, and unimaginable doubt and pain to complete. Yet, I probably would have suffered more if I had not made the movie…)

Finally: saw The Station Agent last night and the hot librarian girl, she could be Susan, also possible to get her onboard instead of Robin T?

HURRICANE & the making of Lost in New Mexico 10/11/03 – NEW YORK CITY, USA

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 22:04:00 -0700

10/11/03 – NEW YORK CITY, USA

Have decided to move forward with the new movie, Susan Hero, a dramatic feature this time, according to a plan worked out at Wat Suan Mokkh in Thailand. It's become clear that the time is nigh to make it happen--although I have no money, no connections, and not much buzz left even after the success of my first feature!

I’ll be leaving New York, heading to my old home state of New Mexico, to put the movie together somehow.

According to all rational standards, it doesn't make any sense to dive into a new movie right now (or at all). I have no financing, no talent attached, and barely any equipment.

I've been involved in standard Hollywood/Indiewood means of development for the past year or so. Although we did manage to get the script to some established talent, no actor could sanely come on board, since our financing was and is still by any normal, standard, miniscule.

On a practical note, have settled my New Mexico connections and they're expecting me. Included in this mix is my old contact, Alvin, who was generous and instrumental in the completion of my first feature BookWars when I was doing the rough cut out there in 1996.

My initial goals upon arrival: cast actors, (probably non-union talent), workshop the script with that talent, scout and secure locations (prefer free exteriors, desert locations and ghost towns), and shoot one or two key scenes before doing a fundraiser/investor outreach in some form.

More later: still have loose ends to tie up, not to mention I have to coordinate a drive out to Newark later with Sandy (German exchange student who’s tagging along for the ride) to get my stuff from Pete’s warehouse. Right now my basic concern is: will the car make it?

It's a semi-beat up--but still well running--83' Toyota Corolla, bought for $450, owned by a grandmother in Long Island previously.

Part 1- LOST IN NEW MEXICO: the strange tale of Susan Hero

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 05:28:00 -0700

Herewith...

Special deal with discount code for LOST IN NEW MEXICO!

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:18:00 -0700

LOST IN NEW MEXICO: the strange tale of Susan Hero

Special!!-->ONLY $9.99

Only at https://www.createspace.com/260554

Ah, that's more like it--

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:42:00 -0700

Now, here's another review of "Lost in New Mexico", from the great folks at Library Journal.

Check it out-->

-- Library Journal, 3/15/2009

Lost in New Mexico: The Strange Tale of Susan Hero. color. 85 min. Jason Rosette, Camerado, dist. by amazon.com. 2008. DVD UPC 8-83629-27962-6. $39.95. Public performance. F

This atmospheric and moody no-budget feature shot around the city of Albuquerque is aptly marketed by its resourceful director as "a sci-fi cloning road movie for the 21st century." Rosette's timely fusing of diverse genre elements involves no less diverse a cast of characters: Susan, a grieving young woman who robs the movie theater at which she's employed so she can pay for the cloning of her recently deceased daughter; Dr. Morell, a maverick geneticist bent on extending the reach of his illegal cloning services; Javier, an illegal Mexican immigrant accompanying Susan; Carl (played by Rosette), a self-doubting FDA agent on the trail of Morell; and Lonnie, a Native American potter trying to raise funds so his daughter can attend college. Rosette (Bookwars, LJ 10/1/00) envelops these characters in the evocative desert landscape, complemented by a wistful and spare guitar soundtrack. Extras include a production slideshow with the director eloquently detailing the film's difficult history. Recommend for adventurous viewers.—Robert A. Sica, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Richmond

DVD Verdict's Bill Gibron: he no like "Lost in New Mexico"

camerado@camerado.com (CAMERADO) — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Judge Bill Gibron of DVD Verdict wishes he could clone himself - so that while his porcile original sits on the couch reviewing movies, his clone could get outside, get some fresh air, and get some perspective on things.

Bill (pictured above) did not like the movie "Lost in New Mexico: the strange tale of Susan Hero" that Camerado filmmaker Jason Rosette made.

At one point, he even wrote in his review "Poor Jason Rosette"...hmmm.

But Jason Rosette is not really poor, even after spending the bucks out of pocket to make this second feature after his award winning BookWars.

These kids, on the other hand, Bill, *are* poor--> seen here, learning English with the "Lost in New Mexico" filmmaker J Rosette himself in a slum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Anyway, good luck Bill; if you want to take a break from reviewing movies, feel free to drop us a line and we can refer you to some organizations who are seeking volunteers out here in the developing world.