Sacred spots in N.M. provide a universal energy for movie

A seeker looks for inspiration in Jan Bartelstone's "The 1 of Hearts." The film was shot entirely in New Mexico.

Luckily, Bartelstone, who spent many years as a photographer, was familiar with the land and found his locations.

“I was looking for breathtaking and mystical areas to help tell the story,” he says. “What I found were three areas that absolutely take you to another world.”

With the locations found, Bartelstone began his film “The 1 of Hearts,” completed in March. The hourlong documentary chronicling the comparative writing of the world’s divine poets was filmed entirely in New Mexico – on location in Albuquerque, Mount Taylor and Abiquiú – and used an all-local cast and crew.

There is poetry and narrative that employ sacred writings from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, Native America and Christianity, as well as lay poets.

Bartelstone says that film follows three seekers, who individually set out on a metaphoric journey to realize their connection with their own divine nature.

“In the end, all of the paths, both seekers and ecstatic writing, lead to the same place,” he explains. “This film is a meditation on the path the soul takes to true recognition.”

Bartelstone says Krishna Das – internationally acclaimed chanter of the “Divine Names” – and Richard Hooper – a national spiritual scholar – are both interviewed in the film.

“It was important to bring all of the elements together,” he says. “And they came together very well.”

Making the switch from still photography to film had its advantages and disadvantages for Bartelstone. One advantage was that he was familiar with setting up a master shot for the film.

“The downside to film is the editing process,” he explains. “There was a learning curve on that. But I think I was able to set up enough of the right shots that it made the editing process a lot easier.”

Bartelstone says he became fascinated with spiritual writings and practices about 12 years ago and wanted to give film another chance. (In the 1980s, he directed his first film for the New Mexico Humanities Council.)

“There are so many stories and teachings that people don’t know about,” he says. “I just want people to take some time to work on their inner self. We often get tied up with daily life that we neglect spiritual side. This is a chance to catch up with ourselves.”

“The 1 of Hearts” will be screened at the KiMo Theatre, 423 W. Central, at 7 p.m. June 6. There also will be a performance by Pravin Agarwal on sitar before the film. Navajo flutist Andrew Thomas will perform after the screening and Oma will perform a sacred whirling dance.

DUKE CITY PREMIERE: Albuquerque filmmaker Billy Garberina will premiere his new film, “I Heart You,” at 10 p.m. Friday, June 9, and 10 p.m. and midnight Saturday, June 10, at the Guild Cinema, 3405 E. Central. The movie follows building inspector Walter Fletcher, played by Garberina, who is trapped in a dead-end job and lukewarm marriage and turns to an old hobby to release tensions – killing people. Fletcher soon realizes that his wife, Liz, played by Raine Brown, has her own double life. For more information on the screening, visit www.guildcinema.com.

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter at @agomezART.

If you go
WHAT: “The 1 of Hearts”
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 6
WHERE: KiMo Theatre, 423 W. Central
HOW MUCH: $10-$11 at www.kimotickets.com or 886-1251