Finding the right narrative: NM filmmaker Andrew Jara finds a place with feature film, 'The Empty Space'

Patience is key when making a film.

New Mexico filmmaker Andrew Jara has learned this during his journey in film.

Jara’s award-winning cosmic horror film, “The Empty Space” is available through BayView Entertainment.

Successfully launched in the United States, the movie is available to rent and buy on Amazon in Mexico, Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

“It’s been about six years between the time I started it,” Jara says. “The film was actually finished in 2019, but the pandemic hit and it was put on the back burner.”

“The Empty Space” stars Joe Sinclitico along with Valerie Alene, Rachel Olsen and Pablo Medina.

The film tells the story of a woman, played by Alene, who is going to a support group for anxiety and depression after a violent attack left her boyfriend dead.

When her boyfriend seemingly returns from the dead, she will have to face her fears to find out exactly who or what has come back before she loses her grip on reality.

Jara says the film was shot in El Paso and Las Cruces.

“As a proud Mexican filmmaker, I am overjoyed to be able to bring my film to more Latin markets, especially Juárez and Mexico,” Jara says. “Growing up on the border helped me to stay in touch with my culture.”

Jara says though it took him time to complete the film, he wanted to do it right because the film deals with mental illness and mental health.

“The first draft I had was completed in 2013 and then I had to scrap it about three years later.”

Finding the right narrative: NM filmmaker Andrew Jara finds a place with feature film, 'Empty Space'

“I wanted to put more of an emphasis on mental health instead of it being in the background,” he says. “I remember when I was going through my stuff and it was hard to understand what anxiety was. I didn’t want the movie to be one note. I wanted to get the message across that it’s not one dimensional. I wanted to give mental health a better representation.”

The film was edited in Austin, Texas, and the sound design was done in Las Cruces with Studio 603.

“They are my go-to guys when it comes to sound for my projects,” he says. “It was an easy process getting to work with some amazing editors.”

Jara’s journey into film started when he was in college.

He grew up loving cinema and wanted to create it, though his parents always told him to get a job and then work from there.

“In college, I saw how difficult the other fields are and every job was going to take a lot of work,” he says. “I realized that I wanted to take the chance to make a film. I shifted to film in college and it’s worked out for me.”

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.