Labor of love: NM-based Nina Knapp to premiere 'The Deadly Link' at Guild Cinema

Nina Knapp knows the importance of creating a captivating film.

The New Mexico filmmaker’s latest documentary, “The Deadly Link,” took more than 10 years to complete as information and statistics changed.

“Back in 2012, I went to a state conference on the link between animal abuse and domestic violence,” Knapp says. “I went to film one of my friend’s presentations. I ended up staying all day at the conference and began my journey down this path.”

“The Deadly Link” is set to premiere at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill. The investigative documentary follows the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. Because of some content, this film may not be suitable for children under 13, Knapp says.

Knapp worked alongside producers Angie Beauchamp, Brad Stoddard and Sheryl Brown on the project.

Knapp says it was interesting to learn the patterns of abuse.

“Many of the cases start with people abusing their pets,” she says. “Children in those households will see the abuse and then begin to inflict it on the pets as well. It’s a never-ending cycle that needs to change.”

Labor of love: NM-based Nina Knapp to premiere 'The Deadly Link' at Guild Cinema

Knapp says the family veterinarian, in many ways, can be the first place where abuse is reported.

“I started doing more investigation and research on the issue,” she says. “By 2014, we put together a big crew and began production.”

One of the first assets Knapp used is Positive Links in Albuquerque.

The organization works to raise awareness about the connection between animal abuse and human violence.

According to Positive Links, “we can form positive links to stop violence toward people and animals in our society.”

Knapp collaborated with Positive Links founder Tammy Fiebelkorn on gathering data.

“I turned to Tammy a lot while the production was in progress,” Knapp says.

After taking a two-year hiatus during the pandemic and moving back to New Mexico, Knapp and Stoddard worked on editing the documentary for nine months.

“We had to pare down 80 hours of footage to 60 minutes,” Knapp says. “It was so difficult because there were so many people who said some really great things. I’m hoping that the interviews that didn’t make the final cut can be placed on the website to further education audiences.”

Knapp hopes to have the documentary available to organizations nationwide.

“I hope the documentary can be used as a way to raise awareness on abuse,” Knapp says. “Organizations will be able to screen it to raise money for their own mission.”

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