Plenty of love stories woven into N.M.-made ‘Deception’

Angelo is a filmmaker who was born and raised in the Duke City. He cut his teeth working on films in New Mexico. And now his film, “The Deception,” is premiering at the Santa Fe Film Festival on Dec. 9.

The four-day festival begins on Thursday, Dec. 6 with the screening of “Hyde Park on the Hudson” and will close with Travis Fine’s “Any Day Now.” Venues will include The Screen, CCA (Center for Contemporary Arts), the New Mexico History Museum, Hotel Santa Fe and Canyon Road and downtown Santa Fe galleries (panel discussions included).

	If you go WHAT: “The Deception” WHEN: 3:15 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE: Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe HOW MUCH: $15 general, $10 students available at www.ticketssantafe.org or 505-988-1234

“I’ve been in the film business for 11 years,” he says during a recent interview. “To have my first feature-length film that I’ve produced to premiere in my home state is amazing. I can’t wait for people to see it.”

“The Deception” is one of nearly two dozen films and shorts that will screen at the film festival.

The film is composed of two intertwining stories.

One a gay coming-of-age story of a teenager nicknamed Chip and his first love, Devon.

The second is of Chip, 20 years later, who know goes by his name Christopher and is in the closet.

Christopher wants a life in politics and is about to run for the Maryland Senate with the help of his fiancee’s family, who is one of the most politically connected families in Washington, D.C.

But when Christopher’s first love resurfaces, his carefully constructed world threatens to crumble around him.

Angelo says what drew him to the movies was the story.

“It was a complete story and I think it will resonate with a lot of viewers,” he says.

Angelo says making the film was a risk due to the nature of the film and the story of a same-sex relationship.

Jay Durrwachter, who had worked on films such as “Abduction,” “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “At First Sight” and “The Devil’s Own,” directed the film. Durrwachter died in 2011.

“When you look at the film, it’s really a story about two people,” he says. “You don’t see gender. You see the love and compassion that they have for each other. You also see the problems that all of them have.”

In addition to producing the film, Angelo plays Devon during his adult years and says the role was one where he got to grow.

“You have these two men who are dealing with their feelings,” he says. “You can see them on their journey and it has so many twists and turns, you don’t know where it’s going to end.”

The film was directed by Jay Durrwachter, who had worked on films such as “Abduction,” “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “At First Sight” and “The Devil’s Own.” The film marks the first feature-length film that was written, produced and directed by Durrwachter.

Sadly, Durrwachter died in 2011 after the production of the film ended.

“Jay never got to see the final cut of the movie,” Angelo says. “But to be able to work with him on something that he was so passionate about is what makes this movie more special. Jay put his heart and soul into this film and it shows. We always knew that the movie would be released and we’re excited to get it out to as many people as we can.”

While the film will premiere at the Santa Fe Film Festival, Angelo says it will also be shopped around to other film festivals.

“We have a distribution company that is very interested in the film,” he says. “The goal is to get as many eyes as we can to see the film. It’s important that we push this film as far as we can go.”

Production on the film took place in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and took about 42 days to film.

Some of the sites used were Cliffs Amusement Park, LA Boxing and numerous shots around downtown Santa Fe. The cast and crew was made up of New Mexicans.

“This is something that we built from the ground up,” he says. “It’s a small independent film where everyone worked very hard.”

For more on the Santa Fe Film Festival and it’s schedule of films, visit www.santafefilmfestival.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 @agomezART.