The New Mexico Film Office today announced two feature
films, Squealer and Bad Hombres, currently in production in Las Cruces,
New Mexico.
Squealer and Bad Hombres join a growing list of productions selecting
the Mesilla Valley as a place to shoot their projects. In 2021, Knight,
featuring Bruce Willis, Hot Seat, featuring Mel Gibson, The Locksmith,
starring Ryan Phillippe and Kate Boswoth, Dig, starring Thomas Jane and
Emile Hirsch, as well as the Netflix feature films Chupa and The Price
We Pay were all shot in and around the Las Cruces area.
“New Mexico’s second largest city, Las Cruces, is quickly developing
a reputation as the new film production hot spot in the state,” said
Amber Dodson, director, New Mexico Film Office. “Toward the end of
2021, four major notable feature films selected Las Cruces because of
the stunning locations, the professionalism of the local film office, a
supportive film office and community, and the competitive film incentive
that New Mexico offers – including an extra 5% for shooting in the
uplift zone which includes Las Cruces. That trend is continuing in 2022
with two more feature films starting up now and more in the pipeline.”
Las Cruces’ growing popularity stems in part from its rich diversity
of filming locations that include a broad range of architectural styles,
stunning outdoor spaces, and the charming nearby communities of Hatch,
Mesilla, and White Sands National Monument. The area has recently
doubled for Chihuahua Mexico, downtown Los Angeles, Afghanistan, and
West Texas. Perhaps the best asset the area offers is the extra 5%
uplift which productions are eligible for as part of New Mexico’s
25-30% film incentive [2].
“Las Cruces offers a full-service film office, local government with
pro-film leadership, and film-friendly communities that go the extra
mile to accommodate productions. Add to that a nearby airport with
direct flights to Los Angeles and great year-round weather that helps
keep productions on schedule,” said Jonathan Sepp, Las Cruces Film
Office liaison.
Squealer: Squealer, starring Ronnie Gene Blevins (Death in Texas), Theo
Rossi (Army of the Dead), Wes Chatham, Tyrese Gibson (Furious 7),
Katherine Moenning (The Lincoln Lawyer), and Danielle Burgiois (Army of
the Dead), is a story of an overzealous social worker who follows clues
on missing persons cases around town. Eventually discoveries are
unearthed on a pig farm, where the town recluse has many hidden secrets.
The production will be filming through mid-February.
Squealer is directed by Andy Armstrong (The New Adventures of Robin
Hood) and produced by Rob Goodrich (Dig, Slayers) and Jason Armstrong
(Dig, Slayers).
“I had never shot in Las Cruces before but had wanted to shoot here
for many years based on several classic and personal favorite movies
that have been made in the state. I have had the good fortune to work
several times on movies and television series shooting in other parts of
New Mexico (Marvel’s, Thor and the television series, Wildfire). Each
time I work in New Mexico I am reminded of the great beauty of the
landscape and am amazed by the very experienced local crew, that without
question, is in the very top tier of any crew I have ever had the good
fortune with which to work, anywhere in the world,” said Andy
Armstrong, director, Squealer.
The production will employ approximately 45 New Mexico crew members, 3
New Mexico principal actors, and 35 New Mexico background and extras.
For more information on the production contact squealermovie@gmail.com
Bad Hombres: Bad Hombres, starring Tyrese Gibson (Furious 7) and Thomas
Jane (Deep Blue Sea), is the story of two undocumented immigrants who
take a simple job of digging a hole in the middle of nowhere, but when
their two employers reveal themselves to be psychopathic criminals,
surviving the night will become a more difficult job.
Bad Hombres is directed by John Stalberg and produced by David
Frigerio.
“It’s my second time back in New Mexico and I’m excited to be back
in the land of enchantment because the crews are fantastic, and the
locations are wonderful. It is truly a joy being here,” Frigerio said.
The production will employ approximately 125 New Mexico crew members, 20
New Mexico principal actors, and 30 New Mexico background and extras.
For more information on the production contact badhombresinfo@gmail.com
Productions interested in learning more about filming in Las Cruces can
visit www.filmlascruces.com [3].
All film and television productions in New Mexico are required to adhere
to the state’s operative emergency public health order, associated
public health restrictions and COVID-Safe Practices.
The New Mexico Film Office has released Back2One, a catchall set of
principles, general recommendations, and resources for film and
television productions operating during COVID-19. Back2One
recommendations and other COVID-Safe Practices can be found at
nmfilm.com [4].
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The New Mexico Film Office
1100 S. St. Francis Drive, Suite 1213
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-5600
info@nmfilm.com
nmfilm.com [8]
