Low-Budget Thriller Valley of Ditches Set for World Premiere at Dances with Films
Debi Moore
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Cheap, quick, good… Usually when a film falls in the first two categories, achieving that third label is elusive. But it sounds like the new low-budget feature Valley of Ditches managed to pull off, with a final product that’s worthy of the world-class Dances with Films festival in the heart of Hollywood.
The project was shot in Joshua Tree, CA, on a 35k budget in just ten days, with a crew of nine and a cast of six. It is a beautifully filmed survival thriller that promises a highly engaging storyline and outstanding performances.
Director Christopher James Lang and lead actress Amanda Todisco penned the minimalist script and pulled in co-producer Kevin Crick to get the film off the ground. Raising funds and collecting crew from all over the continent, they set out to the desert around Joshua Tree for principal photography. The footage then traveled to Washington, DC, and Portland, OR, for editing; Denver, CO, for music; and Los Angeles, CA, for a final sound mix and color grade.
Along with Todisco, Valley of Ditches (official site here) stars Russell Bradley Fenton and Jeremy Sless.
Now in its 19th year, Dances with Films 2016 runs June 2-12. As for Valley of Ditches, it will premiere at 11:45 PM on Saturday, June 4th, at the world famous TCL Chinese Theatres, 6925 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood, CA. Most of the key players will be at the screening and available for a Q&A afterwards. The event is open to the public, but tickets (available here) are limited.
Synopsis:
Emilia wakes up in the front seat of a car, bound and gagged, and watching a stranger dig a grave next to the body of her boyfriend. With no time to think, she sneaks away and hobbles into the desert, setting off an odyssey that will leave her stranded, alone, and losing her sanity. Even if she makes it out alive, she’ll be changed forever.
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