Sales, first images launched – deadline

EXCLUSIVE: WME Independent kicks off sales ahead of virtual AFM on Jason Momoa western under the radar The last manhunt.

Today we can reveal the first footage from the completed film, which tells the “true story of the last great American manhunt in the old west” based on the oral history of the Chemehuevi tribe in Joshua Tree, in California. Aquaman and Dune Momoa star is a co-writer, executive producer and among the cast.

Set in 1909 when a famous murder spawned a tragedy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, the film follows Willie Boy and his sweetheart Carlota who run away after accidentally shooting his father in a confrontation that has gone horribly wrong. With the arrival of President Taft in the region, the local sheriff leads two Native American trackers who demand justice for their “murdered” tribal chief.

The film features a largely Native American ensemble cast, including Martin Sensmeier (The Magnificent Seven) as Willie Boy; Mainei Kinimaka (See) like Carlota; Zahn McClarnon (Dogs Reservation) as the father of Carlota; Lily Gladstone (Moon Flower Killers) as Carlota’s mother; Raoul Trujillo (Apocalypto); Brandon Oakes (Go) and Tantoo Cardinal (Dance with the wolves).

Also with Christian Camargo (See), Wade Williams (The dark knight rises), Jamie Sives (Chernobyl), Justin Campbell (The Hurt Locker), Mojean Aria (Reminiscence), Charlie Brumbly (Baywatch), Amy Seimetz (Pet Sematist) and Momoa (Aquaman).

Actor-filmmaker Christian Camargo is directing the film and playing Sheriff Frank Wilson, a role that was previously played by Robert Redford in the 1969 film about the story, Tell them Willie Boy is here.

The producers are Martin Kistler and Jason Eric Laciste based on a screenplay by Pa’a Sibbett and a story by Jason Momoa and Sibbett. Executive producers are LA Lakers president Jeanie Buss, Michael Acierno, Momoa and Brian Andrew Mendoza.

According to the producers, the fate of Willie Boy was turned into a “savage Indian murder” story by the scare publications of the time. “To date, most of the available research only provides biased news publications that made Willie Boy a hardened felon for many years,” the producers tell us.

Jason Momoa heard the story of Chemehuevi Desert Runner, Willie Boy, while in Joshua Tree and became fascinated by it. He called in another Native writer, Pa’a Sibbett, and both immediately embraced the idea of ​​a screenplay.

Momoa and Sibbett spoke to the tribal leaders of Chemehuevi’s 29 Palms group, some of whom are direct descendants of Willie Boy’s story. At this meeting, the tribes received the script and said that if there was a reason they didn’t feel comfortable producing such a beloved story, the production would stop and no movie would be shot. The tribal leaders accepted the production and filming began with a tribal ceremony with the participation of members of the Chemehuevi, Serrano and Cahuilla tribes.

The production included Dr. Cliff Traftzer, a longtime researcher and scholar of the desert tribes of California, as well as Matt Leivas, one of the last custodians of Chemehuevi’s sacred salt songs and respected elder, for reference on the script. Matt Leivas agreed to sing the sacred songs and help with the Chemehuevi language spoken in the film.

According to the team, while filming in Banning, Calif., Momoa also met the residents of Morongo. Soon after, the Cahuilla Indian Band donated their land to Agua Caliente at no cost for production.

Jason Momoa told us, “I love Joshua Tree and the community there. I remember hearing about Willie Boy, the Desert Runner, and I was fascinated by the story around him. What should be a universal story of a relationship gone awry quickly turned into a muddy, complex story about the power of rogue media and how Native Americans are presented to the public. The true story of Willie Boy has never been told, and it is beautiful. I developed the story with my team because I wanted to set the record straight and free the spirits of this story.

Producer Martin Kistler commented, “The truth of the Willie Boy story lies in the neglected voices of the desert: the Chemehuevi people who have inhabited the desert for many generations. If you listen to them, Willie Boy wasn’t a savage murderer, he was just a man who fell in love with a woman who was not meant for him. With under-represented cultures coming to the fore in film and television, we are committed to approaching this Indigenous tale with the utmost respect for the cultures it represents, in hopes of setting a precedent on how that Hollywood could tackle diversity stories like this one.

Executive Producer Jeanie Buss added, “I vividly remember the iconic moment in Oscar history when Sacheen Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando to raise awareness of Native American issues at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, accepting the award. for best actor for his performance of The Godfather. I was only 12, but it left such a deep and lasting impact on me, and that’s why The last manhunt is important to me. I am very proud that we have honored the true story of Willie Boy.