Governor Bill Richardson Announces New Feature Film, The Dry Land Filming in New Mexico
Oscar Nominee Melissa Leo and America Ferrera to Star
Contact: Alarie Ray-Garcia (505) 476-2248SANTA FE—Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the Maya Entertainment feature film, The Dry Land, commenced principal photography in New Mexico.
Maya Entertainment began production this week on The Dry Land, a drama about a young man returning home from war. Starring Ryan O’Nan, America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, Jason Ritter and Melissa Leo, the film is written by Ryan Piers Williams and marks his directorial debut. The Dry Land is produced by Independent Spirit Award®-winner Heather Rae whose latest film, Frozen River, was recently nominated for two Academy Awards® for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress, Melissa Leo. The executive producers are Sergio Aguero and America Ferrera. The Dry Land is financed by Maya Entertainment which will also distribute the film worldwide. The Dry Land also stars June Diane Raphael, Diego Klattenhoff, Evan Jones, Misty Upham, Benito Martinez, with special participation by Ana Claudia Talancón, with Ethan Suplee and Barry Shabaka Henley. The film is presented by Maya Entertainment, Besito Films and Take Fountain Productions. The production is filming in and around Albuquerque, Belen, Edgewood, Stanley and Moriarty through May 24 and plans to hire at least 30 local crew members and over 70 background talent. The Dry Land follows a young man, James (O'Nan), as he returns home from tour of duty. James throws himself back into a small town life that no longer fits. Despite the support of his wife (Ferrera) and his mother (Leo), he is unable to settle in. James turns to an Army buddy, Raymond (Valderrama) for help and together they travel the country in search of redemption. Thinking that the war was behind him, James comes to realize that the fight for his life has only begun. “We are very happy to be shooting in New Mexico. We came with the intention of hiring locally in every department and we're delighted to have pulled together a fantastic crew, as well as cast several roles here in New Mexico. The state has a lot to offer, including a great infrastructure for production,” said producer, Heather Rae. Since Richardson took office, over 120 major feature films and television series have shot in the state, adding over $2.5 billion dollars to New Mexico’s economy. About Maya Entertainment Maya Entertainment, headed by award winning producer Moctesuma Esparza and co-chaired by Jeff Valdez, is the only Latino owned and managed film entertainment company specifically focused on the growing U.S. Latino film-going audience. Maya Entertainment is the sister company of Maya Cinemas North America, Inc. a movie theater exhibition company featuring state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas with a site in Salinas, CA and new sites soon to be opened in Bakersfield, CA; Fresno, CA; Santa Fe, NM, Chicago, IL, San Antonio, TX, Houston, TX, New York and more.
