Yam shows'Hell or High Water'

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

Portales residents were given a chance to see their local area portrayed on the “big screen” Thursday night when the Yam Theatre gave a free showing of “Hell or High Water.”

Portales resident Donna Barrera, who was at the screening with her family, said that she liked that the movie portrayed the two main characters (played by Chris Pine and Ben Foster) bonding, “even though it was not a very good thing they did.”

Barrera expressed pride at seeing familiar locations in the film, which was filmed partially in Portales and Clovis.

“I think it’s neat to see our little town on the big screen and recognize places around here,” she said.

Alexandra Esquibel said that watching a film featuring locations in eastern New Mexico is “really exciting, especially for the community. I think it represents small towns, that they’re not just small; they can be featured in big ways.”

Donna’s daughter, Dominique Barrera, said that seeing “Hell or High Water” made her feel proud of Portales.

“It shows that even the small towns can be recognized,” she said.

Portales resident Janet Bresenham described how she felt watching a feature film that was shot in Portales.

“I recognized so many places in Portales, in Clovis, even the back alleys and the things that you drive by everyday, and all of a sudden it’s on the big screen in front of you and part of a really good movie,” she said. “This was something I think a lot of people are really going to like, and they’re going to realize, if they stay ‘til the end of the credits, that they were watching the state of New Mexico.”

Jon Barr, an assistant professor of digital filmmaking at eastern New Mexico University, said that, as a film professional who lives in Portales, “Hell or High Water” is an exciting prospect.

“On the one hand, I see films made in Portales all the time, because that’s what my students do. Seeing something like that, that is shot in our area, looks beautiful, has a good story, great performances, that’s exciting,” he said.

According to Barr, ENMU’s digital filmmaking department had the opportunity to recommend students to work on the film for experience, including Brandon Carter, who was a production assistant in the locations department.

“His responsibility was to help secure locations, make sure safety is being followed, make sure that the area is clean and things like that. He was hired for a couple of days when they were in Portales, but then he did really well and was offered to stay on for the rest of the production,” Barr said.