Ad
Featured
Las Cruces filmmaker bringing Canaan Bower's story to the big screen
Canaan Bower, the high school wrestler that subdued a would-be kidnapper, is pictured in front of his truck at his home in Las Cruces, N.M., on March 18, 2021. Las Cruces filmmaker Ross Kagan Marks is at the helm of a feature film about Bower's life.
Canaan Bower made national news at 16 for his heroism.
At 18, he died in a crash.
Las Cruces-based filmmaker Ross Kagan Marks is bringing Bower’s story to the big screen.
“Canaan’s story is a powerful tale of heroism, faith, and family,” Marks said. “He was much more than one act of great bravery. It is a very inspirational tale. It is important to tell Las Cruces stories to the world. And Canaan’s is one of the best.”
Bower, a Mayfield High School wrestling champ, gained national prominence after stopping a kidnapping in 2020.
On March 25, 2020, Bower – then a high school junior home from school went to a gas station in Doña Ana.
When he came out of the building, he heard a woman screaming at Chucky’s Gas Station which was across the street.
Fearlessly, Bower ran into Chucky’s and stopped the would-be kidnapper, wrestling him to the ground and holding him harmlessly until the police arrived. The story made the news all over the world.
On March 9, 2022, Bower died in a motorcycle crash.
Marks says the Bower’s story was a powerful one that not only made national news, but within the local community.
Ad
“I am very excited to bring this inspirational story to life,” Marks says.
Bower was honored by The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, UFC President Dana White, USA Wrestling, Doña Ana County and the City of Las Cruces for his bravery.
The script for “Canaan” is being written by Mary Haarmeyer.
The film will be produced by Marks Rio Road Productions, Keagan Karnes’ Inspirado and Haarmeyer.
Marks, Karnes and Haarmeyer are collaborating on the upcoming films “The Santa Assist” and “Vengeful,” shooting back-to-back in Las Cruces in the Fall of 2023.
