Oregon Premiere

A talented but self-involved musician with a failing album and canceled tour goes in search of an old girlfriend in the beautifully atmospheric town of Cortez, New Mexico. Underestimating the lingering effects of their stormy history, Jesse makes an arrogant attempt at reinserting himself into Anne’s life, unaware that she has a secret that will change his. 

Director’s Statement: Cheryl Nichols 

When I begin a project, I don’t always know why I am drawn to tell that story. I just try to stay out of the way and let my imagination do its thing. I have visions. I am guided by those images. I wanted Cortez to feel untethered. Experiential. Visceral. Fleshy. Like being in the room with the characters, like a play with no proscenium, close enough to the actors to be caught in the blowback. I try to achieve this by cannonball. I set about gathering a creative team that would support a creatively wild and somewhat unconventional approach to filming.