By Steven Hughes
Sun Correspondent
A Neo-Western film using New Mexico’s environment landed in theaters Jan. 10. The story is a Cold War drama that tells the story of a community solving twisting crimes in an Old West country town.
Laws of Man, which hit theaters Jan. 10, is set during the beginning of the Cold War and follows U.S. marshals Frank Fenton (Jacob Keohane) and Tommy Morton (Jackson Rathbone), who arrive in Nevada to deliver arrest warrants to two individuals. The second and most important is for dangerous local Benjamin Bonney (Dermot Mulroney), whom many, including town sheriff Kutch (Graham Greene), claim has been murdering locals. When the two men arrive at the potential murderer’s homestead, things don’t go as planned. The entire family opens fire and the pair discover an issue with the request. Temporarily stuck at a nearby motel, the two very different men discuss what to do and deal with personal issues, also encountering a secretive Galen Armstrong (Keith Carradine) and oddball Reverend Cassidy Whittaker (Harvey Keitel).
Phil Blattenberger, director and producer of Laws of Man, used traditional Western film motifs, such as gunslinging cowboys, with a modern take. The movie features fast cars and “cranked-up villains” expected for 21st-century movie audiences.
“This is New Mexico’s movie,” Blattenberger said in an interview with the Sun. “This is my crew’s movie. This film would not have happened without them.”
Blattenberger said he loved his team, who did their traditional film-making work, from repeating scenes for the best shot to maintaining equipment. Additionally, New Mexico locals pitched in as well.
An Airbnb owner connected Blattenberger with a driver when the crew needed to move around, and a community center owner connected Blattenberger with access to gas for the crew’s RVs.
The New Mexico residents’ efforts contributed to Laws of Man staying budget friendly, as Blattenberger noted moving locations is a costly venture for independent films. The film had 12 locations, ranging as far as North Carolina and Colorado, and over eight locations were in New Mexico, such as at the Historic Mora Inn & RV Park in Cleveland, N.M., and the Tecolote Ranch in San Miguel County.
Laws of Man was Blattenberger’s first time using New Mexico for a film. He said that the state is perfect for Neo-West films.
Not only that, but this was the first time Keohane, who played “Deputy Tobias” in Halloween Kills in 2021, was in New Mexico.
This wasn’t Keohane’s first time working with Blattenberger. He also starred in Blattenberger’s Point Man and Condor’s Nest.
Keohane said he loved filming in New Mexico as he loved the state’s history. He said playing a character like Frank Fenton was challenging, because he deals with boiling emotions from WW2 battle-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Keohane said he conversed with law enforcement and veterans to understand life with PTSD.
He said he also loved being able to play a scene with Keitel, whom he had been watching since he was 13.
After years and months of writing, filming, and editing, Blattenberger’s team finally saw the world premiere of their story during the Santa Fe International Film Festival in October.
Getting everyone behind Laws of Man to the festival wasn’t easy as they weren’t the only ones interested in watching the new film.
Blattenberger said the festival did two showings in response to the demand and they sold out. Of course, flying people to the area was another task Blattenberger said he was glad to achieve.
Keohane said he felt initially nervous to see the film in such a raw state, alongside audience members. Thankfully, he heard the reactions, a courteous chorus of giggles and gasps. He said he’s glad to have made a piece of art entertaining for viewers.
“The first initial reaction from the audience a few minutes into the film, just feels good,” Keohane said. “You’re in the room together and get to enjoy watching a film, as opposed to feeling separate from the group because you’ve been involved in the project. So, you just want that moment of singularity.”
Blattenberger said he wants to use more of New Mexico in future films, and Keohane said he hopes to work with the director again.
