Searching for treasure: NM-filmed 'Gold Raiders' gets release on Apple TV, six years after filming

Getting a film from idea to screen is a journey.

There are plenty of starts and stops along the way.

For Kathleen Swenson, Josh Relic and Marshall DeBerry, it took six years to get “Gold Raiders” to the TV screen. The next chapter begins with the feature film as it hits streaming platforms.

Relic wrote the script originally as “Sierra Sisters: The Hunt for Blackbeard's Treasure” and filming took place in 2019.

The film stars Kathleen Swenson as Hera Sierra, Celeste Lee as Athena Sierra, James Blackburn as William and Sam Barber as Flecher.

Over the course of post production, the name changed, but the spirit didn’t.

It is produced by Swenson, Celeste Lee and Jessica Jones.

The feature follows treasure-hunting sisters Hera and Athena as they embark on a journey to find the legendary treasure of Blackbeard the pirate.

Along the way they encounter shadowy figures and mystical relics. The sisters begin to believe that they aren’t alone in trying to find the treasure. They find they have to use their wits and brawn to outwit and outmaneuver their murderous rivals.

“The filming went pretty well,” DeBerry said. “We filmed in New Mexico and Virginia and it was an ambitious shoot. By the time we got to the post edit phase, the pandemic rolled in and work on it slowed down.”

Relic and the crew had to find the perfect locations in New Mexico so that they would match the scenes filmed in Virginia.

“We wanted to showcase some historical places and put some treasures in the movie,” Relic said. “The obstacles of taking the footage filmed in Virginia and getting it to match in New Mexico was difficult. We had to have continuity.”

Swenson said the entire cast did their own stunts, which was a challenge.

The production filmed on Zia Pueblo, the Luna Mansion in Los Lunas, Pecos and Corrales. It was also filmed in the Western Tidewater area, just west of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Relic said “Golden Raiders” isn’t a typical treasure hunt film.

He spent time on developing characters because the project was an independent production.

“Within the film there is divine intervention and mysticism,” Relic said. “As a team we went through a lot of obstacles. We had to solve and improvise with what was handed to us. We had to modify shots and being able to film in New Mexico, it made it doable.”

The trio are proud to have an independent film ready for the world to see.

They said big budget projects in New Mexico always get in the press.

“There’s room for all productions,” Relic said. “We want to showcase what we’ve been able to do with a modest budget. The independent film industry continues to thrive and this is a project we hope that moves it forward.’

According to the New Mexico Film Office, the independent feature employed 25 New Mexico crew members, four New Mexico actors and 15 New Mexico background talent.

“We’re also very proud that all but two members were New Mexicans,” Relic said.