By Jen Clancey DIGITAL PRODUCER
A Montana rancher, John Alexander, faces the loss of his family’s ranch when a film crew approaches him with an offer: to shoot a movie on his land. This is the story of “Somewhere in Montana.”
On Friday, April 26, The Waypoint hosted the premiere of the Montana-made film in Big Sky. “Somewhere in Montana” will play at The Waypoint through Wednesday, May 1.
Written and directed by Brandon Smith,and set in northwest Montana, the film was entirely filmed in Polson and made by a crew of Montana residents. Smith expressed excitement about having Montanans see the movie ahead of a national release, which will occur later this year.
“It’s a love letter to Montana. So it’s fun to share that privately before the whole world sees it,” Smith said.
The movie brings Scotsman Graham McTavish, best known for his roles in “The Hobbit” and the television series “Outlander,” into the character of gruff and loyal John Alexander.
“I took two men who are completely opposite and tried to put them in an impossible situation,” said Smith. He’s referring to Alexander’s challenging counterpart, a passionate film director named Fabian Verdugo, played by Matt Drago, who refuses to give up on his project.
What follows is an at-times humorous, then vulnerable, look at legacy and change in what’s known as the Last Best Place.
Among the Hollywood-ites that arrive in the small fictional Montana town is co-director Kat, played by Michelle Hurd, star actress Dhalia, played by Kate Orsino, and actress Rebecca, played by Tashia Gates.
Gates’ journey to “Somewhere in Montana” is a full-circle moment. She grew up in Anaconda and attended the University of Montana, graduating with high honors with a bachelor of fine arts in acting. Eventually Gates moved to Los Angeles to continue her career as an actress.
“Yeah, it’s just a full circle experience that … I’ve only dreamed about until now,” Gates told EBS at The Waypoint bar ahead of the second Friday showing.
“John’s story being on the ranch, the depths of grief that he experiences with [the loss of] his wife, the loyalty he has to his ranch and wanting to do the right thing for his daughter, and his family, is unanimous for most Montanans,” Gates said of the film.
In one moment early in the movie, Gates’ Rebecca sees Flathead Lake for the first time. Even though she grew up in the state, Gates described still being struck by Montana’s landscapes—so much so that she leaned into her own sense of awe when filming the one-take scene.
Smith has a simple hope for what audiences think of the film: “That made me feel something.” Both Smith and Gates thanked the Big Sky community for supporting the film and allowing them to tell this story.
When Fabian and his crew arrive at the ranch for day one of filming, John insists on killing a calf in view, perhaps as an unfriendly welcome to the filmmakers. A shot of the pair staring each other down begs the question, can these two find something to agree on? It perhaps poses that broader question about changing communities across the U.S., which Smith and his crew respond to in this feature film.
At the end of Friday’s showing, Smith, Gates and producer Joe Borden answered questions from the audience about how certain scenes were shot, the film’s inspiration and what’s next for the film crew. Some friends of the producers embraced while others asked follow-up questions one-on-one, in the way only a small town premiere can provide.
