SHOOT THE HERO to World Premiere at Palm Springs Film Festival

Palm Springs, CA – December 16, 2009 –Local film company Blue Moxie Entertainment is pleased to announce that its independent film SHOOT THE HERO, written and directed by Christian Sesma, will have its world premiere at the 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

“We’re delighted Palm Springs honored our film with two premium slots in the festival,” said producer Denise DuBarry Hay, who’s had multiple careers as an actress (BEING THERE, Charlie’s Angels, Black Sheep Squadron), philanthropist and entrepreneur (she’s Co-founder and former Chief Creative Officer of Thane International). “SHOOT THE HERO is a terrific example of our ongoing efforts to help bring more production to the Palm Springs—we got to shoot it here AND we get to premiere it here. We couldn’t be more pleased to showcase it to the desert audience—as well as to film buffs from Los Angeles and around the world.”

The film, the third feature effort from prolific writer, director and producer Christian Sesma, stars Jason Mews (CLERKS, JAY & SILENT BOB, CHASING AMY), Samantha Lockwood (LORDS OF DOGTOWN; CSI: New York) and Mike Hatton (former local CBS reporter) as Nate and Kate, a newly engaged couple whose relationship is on the verge of unraveling. After they witness a jewelry store heist gone awry in a hail of gunfire from rival hoods, they hit the road, now unwitting targets of a mob hit ordered by boss Danny Trejo (SPY KIDS, DUSK TILL DAWN, the upcoming PREDATOR). Meanwhile, the Smith Brothers (Nic Nac Nicotera (AMERICAN PIE and VAN WILDER’S FRESHMAN YEAR) and Mike Hatton) find themselves stranded on their way to work after a series of misfortunes. Eventually forced to hitchhike, they get a ride from none other than our young couple. But as the evening unfolds, everyone quickly discovers that their lives are somehow connected in a night of intrigue, plot twists, a desert militia and “rom-action comedy.”

SHOOT THE HERO is a nearly totally local production, DuBarry, a tireless and noted advocate for regional production who also served as past President of Palm Springs Women in Film and Television, explains. “The Coachella Valley is an ideal location for film shoots. We have received tremendous local support from crew, talent, hotels, and other businesses.

“At one point, Coachella Valley Ice came through for us when we needed to match a scene we’d shot up in Joshua Tree,” she continues. “They were out there with incredibly short notice, turning three tons of block ice into snow, and spreading it out along the highway. It’s amazing how film-friendly Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities really are.”

Sesma, a graduate of Palm Springs High School, adds, “I really wanted to shoot in my home town,” he said. “And I wanted to use some local people. We got local guys that I grew up with to play some of the gangsters in the film, and we tried to support local businesses as much as we could.” Other actors with connections to Palm Springs include Samantha Lockwood, Taylor Negron and Fred Williamson. Most of the post-production was done locally as well.

Sesma debuted his first short film CYCLES at the Palm Springs Short Film Festival in 2004. Since then he’s directed two other features: teen thriller 6:30 (SIX-THIRTY) and sophomore horror effort ON BLOODY SUNDAY.

SHOOT THE HERO showcases a remarkable filming technology as well as the work of the cast and crew. Cinematographer Klemens Becker, (Camera Op on Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum, currently working on A-Team) was able to make use of two RED ONE camera systems for the film. The RED equipment and technology—featured on films from the recent release THE LOVELY BONES to the groundbreaking DISTRICT 9 –made for speedy and seamless all-digital workflow from pre to post, and accommodated the rigors of a remarkable 13-day shooting schedule that featured the most inclement winter weather Palm Springs had seen in 40 years.

Sesma recalls, “all night [shoots] and extreme winter weather proved the RED technology more than capable of handling any and all situations our shoot threw at it. RED made it possible to have instant dailies and to edit rough assemblies during principal photography--the only way to make our indie on an extremely tight budget and even tighter time frame.” Director Steven Soderbergh has described them as "...the camera I’ve been waiting for my whole career: jaw-dropping imagery recorded onboard a camera light enough to hold with one hand....RED is going to change everything.” Director Ron Howard’s a RED fan, too.

SHOOT THE HERO screens twice during the Festival: Friday, January 8th at 9:30PM at the Palm Canyon Theatre and Friday, January 15th at the Annenberg Theatre.

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Contact Information

Henry Eshelman

Managing Director

Platform Media Group

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