3500+ Films - 2.5 million words – 1 million viewers! Founder and Curator Carmela selects the most entertaining, powerful and inspiring short and feature length documentary and drama at We Are Moving Stories revisiting the Western genre today and in the past.
Total length of this section: 22 films.
<TODAY: DRAMA>
Cowboy and Indian - In an unlikely encounter in the desert, a cowboy chances upon a young Bengali bride and the two develop a dynamic where both come to realize that things should not be taken at face value. Length: 8 minutes. Password protected. Writer/Director/Producer Sujata Day:
“First and foremost, I set out to make a film that would be entertaining and something I’d want to watch myself. I’d love people to come in thinking one thing about the characters and leave thinking another. It’s a slow-building thriller and delivers on suspense. My dad says, “The short film has a touch of Hitchcock!” You should listen to my dad, he’s a smart guy.”
REDBIRD - Leon Dart, an emerging young African American rodeo rider living in a small town in Oklahoma, must choose between his personal life or chasing after his dream of becoming a full time rider. Length: 14 minutes. Editor/Writer/Director Dagmawi Abebe:
“So far people have related to Leon’s inner struggle and have also been intrigued by the depiction of a modern Black cowboy. The American cowboy was never presented as Black and that in itself has been fascinating for people that watch the short film.”
A Rodeo Film - A black bull rider must choose between his family's legacy and the woman he loves. Length: 19 minutes. Interview with Writer/Director Darius Dawson:
“A lot of people don’t know that the original cowboys were actually black. The term cowboy was a derogatory term at one point. I hope that my film inspires people to learn more about black cowboys and black rodeo athletes.”
Leave Us Here - Janine and Lula are having a routine granddaughter and grandmother day out when a stop at a local gas station does not go as planned. Length: 5 minutes 34 seconds. Cinematographer/Producer Veronica Bouza:
“Our goal with Leave Us Here was to subvert expectations and challenge gender norms. Typically when we think of western/ action films, we expect our protagonist to be a white male. We wanted to take our audience on a journey with an unlikely duo.”
The Man With The Western Hat - Anna encounters the handsome cowboy who appears to have stepped from the screen and onto the streets of Brooklyn. She soon discovers he may not be the hero she expected. Length: 13 minutes 28 seconds. Watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/243457105 Writer/Director Cinder Chou:
“I’ve always loved films that can blend genres, dramedy, tragicomedy, comedy caper, you name it. There’s something for everyone in The Man With The Western Hat. If you like westerns (read as: hunky cowboys), comedies, adventures, thrillers, rom coms, LGBTQ subtext; it’s all in there.”
Bootwmn - Deana McGuffin is a third generation New Mexico boot maker, handcrafting wearable pieces of art. When she is approached by a Canadian artist and a San Francisco tattooer to create a gay themed cowboy boot, a story unravels of a unique collaboration that takes them to the heart of cowboy country in Northern Texas. BOOTWMN is a heartwarming, intimate and at times funny portrait of the queering of a traditional art form. Length: 11 minutes. Password protected. Director/Producer Paige Gratland and Sam McWilliams
“Bootwmn has played at twenty-seven film festivals, spanning eight countries world wide. We have won Audience Awards at TWIST Seattle Queer Film Festival, USA (Favorite Lesbian Short) and Dyke Drama Film Festival in Perth, AU. Our editor Bonnie Rae Brickman received a Honorable Mention for Best Editor Award at Underwire Film Festival, London, UK and we received Commended Best Documentary from the Women Over 50 Film Festival, Brighton, UK.”
<TODAY:DOCUMENTARY>
Cowgirl - Krishaun Adair paved her own way in the rodeo world as both a competitor and host, and now she is showing her daughter what it means to be a cowgirl. Length: 15 minutes 12 seconds. Director/Producer/Editor Chase Musslewhite:
“For Krishaun at least, being a cowgirl is a mentality and, more than anything, a way of life. Anyone, even someone who’s never sat atop a horse, could in fact claim and identify as such. A cowgirl is simply any woman who knows how to persevere and get things done, who’s not afraid to go after what she wants, and who is willing to conquer unknown territory.”
I Am Still Here - John is home, where home has always been, where a way of life found a place to live. At ninety-one-years-old, without children to inherit the ranch, he is forced to ask himself the question: What will become of his land and his legacy? Length: 15 minutes. Password protected. Director Cynthia Matty-Huber:
“One surprise was a suggestion that I might make this a fiction film and bring a twist to the film. The current film I am finishing has a twist, but remains a true story.”
Tino - tells the story of a lifelong cattleman whose dedication to ranching surpasses the modern-day forces challenging his way of life. As Northern California experiences severe drought, expanding vineyards, and the declining price of beef, Tino adapts to changing conditions and continues to nurture the cattle, ranch, and woman he loves. Length: 16 minutes 11 seconds. Password protected. Writer/Director/Producer Robin Hauser:
“I wanted to tell the story of a 93 year old cowboy who has devoted his entire life to raising cows.”
Unbranded - Four Men, Sixteen Mustangs, 3,000 Wild Miles across the American West.
Length: 105 minutes. Password protected. Producer Ben Masters:
“If you love the American West, a good adventure, questionable decision making, and horses, you’ll enjoy Unbranded.”
Lavoyger - El Tule ranch is a private playground for Texas oil barons and powerful politicians like the Bushes but the manager, Lavoyger Durham, has discovered over 20 bodies of people avoiding a nearby border patrol checkpoint. Length: 24 minutes. Password protected. Director Rachel Bardin:
“If you’ve never been on a quail hunt in Texas with millionaires, you should watch. It’s like golfing with guns. But really, watch because Lavoyger is a one-of-a-kind. His thoughts are formed by experiences most of us will never know. He is a true cowboy born and raised on the King Ranch and that way of life is quite rare now.”
Parched Dreams - is an acid western / low fantasy / horror / about a few twisted characters who, beyond their knowing, have stepped out of society into a sub-hallucinogenic alternate realm. In this strange land, a godforsaken housewife attempts to woo her dull lover, a deranged spell-casting genie wreaks havoc, and an alluring alien haunts a woman's nightmares. Length: 7 minutes 25 seconds. Password protected. Writer/Director/Producer Hillary Andujar:
“Thank you for your interest in this strange film! We appreciate you.”
Suburban Cowboy In this gritty story based on real events, a drug dealer on Long Island is forced to take drastic measures when a debt to ruthless Serbian gangsters falls on his head. Password protected. Length: 92 minutes. Writer/Director Ryan Colucci:
“It’s a raw, visceral look into a world you probably don’t know exists. It is set on Long Island, NY – but could be any suburban town. What fascinates me about the story (which is based on real events) is this idea that the guy next door is a criminal. It’s not this stereotypical gangster story where the bad guys are obviously criminals. It’s more true to life, at least in the part of the world I come from.”
<REVISITING THE WEST>
Pioneers - The stories of four women artists who courageously confronted social stigma and prejudice in pursuit of equal opportunity and creative freedom in the American West (1870-1970). Length: 84 minutes. Password protected. Writer/Director/Producer Erika Volchan O’Conor:
“Visiting my family in Colorado one summer, I drove up (and seemingly back in time) to the small dusty mountain town of Gold Hill. While there, I learned that the largest building in town, a two-story log cabin lodge, had been a vacation spot for hundreds of self-supporting women from Chicago starting in the 1920s. The women were called ‘Bluebirds’ and their leader was Jean Wirt Sherwood, who, in 1911, at the age of 65, established a timeshare vacation home for working women to escape the drudgery of the city. How remarkable!”
Requiescat - In this Western set on the rural coast of California in the 1920s, a teenager struggles to come of age in a racialized society. Length: 18 minutes 30 seconds. Writer/Director/Producer SJ Main Muñoz:
“The film ‘Requiescat’ presents the convergence of the coming-of-age and racism themes. The result in terms of plot is complicated just as it was in the 1920s. Clearly our nation – and in a large part, our world – has failed to learn the lessons of history. Things must change now...or, well, things won’t change.So far the film has won The Call to Action Award 1st Prize for its World Premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.”
Horse - A struggle between inner chaos and reality explodes to create a world of cowboys, horses, and western landscapes. Length: 4 minutes 2 seconds. Director/Producer/Editor/Writer/Animator/Actor Diana Gong:
“My dad was my biggest role model, and my friends were all guys, and it felt like they wouldn’t accept me unless I proved I was better than them. So I developed a lot of discipline and learned to push myself mentally, physically and emotionally. I pushed myself to the limits, to the point where everything I did was at maximum intensity. It felt like I could never be satisfied with myself.”
A Civilized Life - In the American Old West, Jack convinces her friend Dana to live life on their own terms. Length: 15 minutes. Password protected. Writer/Director/Producer Victoria Keon-Cohen:
“During our LA screening, I was surprised and delighted at some unexpected moments where a few laughs broke out. I didn’t expect the “feminist western” reaction. For me in the writing it was just a story with female leads.”
Widow - Set in the turn of the century west, a retired gunslinger learns treachery runs thicker than blood when she finds her husband murdered. Her brother-in-law mysteriously arrives after her husband's death, taking Sara down the rabbit hole of greed and betrayal as she tries to get justice for the man she loved. Length: 15 minutes 49 seconds. Writer/Director/Producer Rachel Econ:
“For a good time! “Widow” is first and foremost meant to entertain! If you like gunfights, drama and a bad a** lady getting justice for her lover then this film is for you! ”
American Gunslingers (trailer) - Two young brothers of different races witness the brutal murder of their parents. Reunited as men, the maps tattooed on their arms lead them to the cache of jewels stolen from the murderers. (In development) Length: 1 hour 32 minutes. Director/Producer/Actor Andre Joseph:
“This is a story that goes beyond the standard good guys versus bad guys theme in classic westerns. Beneath the usual western tropes of gunfights, saloon brawls, and dueling with six-shooters, It is a multi-cultural, character-driven tale about the power of love: How it can redeem a lost soul and how it can also destroy a good one.”
Bury Me Not - In order to protect a dangerous secret, two uncompromising women hide the truth as a relentless Sheriff digs deeper. Length: 12 minutes 50 seconds. Watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/356312496 Director/Producer Charlene Bagcal:
“If you enjoy Westerns and want to watch a female-driven version, through a female filmmaker’s gaze, then Bury Me Not is for you.
Challenging one’s character and morals in the face of imminent danger is one of the main themes of the film.”
Shoot 'Em Dead - When outlaw Don Barren is cornered by the sheriff and his posse, he only has one option... Shoot 'Em Dead. 2 minutes 6 seconds. Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Drew Macias and Vinny Macias:
“We just want to make people laugh, smile, and enjoy.”
Riding the Highline - Poet brothers Kai and Anders Carlson-Wee hop freight trains across the country. Length: 16 minutes. Watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/124288641 Director/Producer Kai Carlson-Wee:
“You see the dirty backyard of the American West—the burning oil fields, the bone yards of barns—and the scope is better communicated through film. Apparently, the first film ever made was of an approaching locomotive (audiences thought it was real and ran), but outside of a few documentaries and Westerns, there isn’t too much about trains.”