SYNOPSIS
MIRAGE is about a old man, Jefe, who has a cult-like hold on his household of wayward, homeless new-age women, whoever Mike (Michael Saliba), his 20 year old henchman, can pick up at local bars and cafes in Santa Fe, NM and bring back to the adobe. Homelife start disintegrating when a Native American woman, Lisa (Lisa K. Hill), falls in love with a Native American drifter, Freddie (Fredrick Lopez, The Miagro Beanfield War, etc.). Music from underground Chicago (Ill Ben, Murlot, Jo-Fixxx-it, Memphis (David Brookings, Olga, and Bluff City Backslides/Don MacGregor), and Santa Fe (Alex Maryol, Jonathan Grossman, Blood Drained Cows) supplies an energy pack, propelling the lovers forth toward their breakout finale.
A Film By Luca Ceccarelli, Stephen "Jules" Rubin, Michael Saliba, Thomas A. Secor, Joseph Stern, and Rick Schmidt.
Starring Fredrick Lopaz, Stephen "Jules" Rubin, Jefe, Lisa K. Hill, Lisa Bonanno Schwartz, Sarah West, Lisa Benge, Camille Nighthorse, Vashi Anaya, Granville Green.
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REVIEW/Santa Fe Reporter
In the movie Mirage, a romance erupts against the colorful, vibrant Southwest landscape of Santa Fe, New Mexico amidst a pastiche of personal real-life stories. The enigmatic guitar-playing Jefe, runs an adobe offering free housing to women in need. His young henchman Mike, a twenty-year-old city kid, goes out in search of these lost souls who need a place to stay, preying on the modern, new-age female who’s sexual and spiritual independence has gotten her in trouble. Mike and his sidekick, Jules-the-mute, live with Jefe rent free, as the adobe household fills to capacity. Three women with the same name “Lisa” exist there rent-free, until Freddie, a Native American suitor, tries to entice “Lisa1” back onto the road (in spite of a lifetime of avoiding commitment he has fallen in love). A confrontation ensues between him and Jefe, who refuses to relinquish his cult-like hold on his “guests.” The movie deals with the meaning of love, connections and relationships, and the nature of marriage in present-day America. A unique soundtrack of original guitar music and hip-hop adds flavor to the film.
CAST (in order of appearance)
Frederick Lopez --Freddie, Lisa K. Hill -- Roller Skate Lisa, Michael Saliba -- Mike. Barbara Mayfield -- Woman Ordering Coffee, Lisa Benge -- Lisa (Counter Person), Sarah Wilhelm -- Aztec Cafe Owner, Xui (Chewy) -- Cartoonist at Cafe, Stephen "Jules" Rubin -- Jules the Mute, Alexandra Marchitelli Hess -- French Woman, Karim R. Saioli -- Moroccan in Cafe, Vashti Anaya -- 19-Year-Old Girl in Cafe, Jefe -- Cult Leader Jefe, Sarah West -- Sedona Woman, Thomas ("Biff") Secor -- Shopping Cowboy, Camille Nighthorse -- Camille, Lisa Bonanno Schwartz -- Lisa (Leaves w/Two Men), Carmcia Lucero -- Jewelry Vendor, Edward McLoughlin -- English Man, Granville Greene -- Man Who Read "Love" Poem, Nicholas Ballas -- Cowboy w/Grand Prix.
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(Left) Joseph Stern (DP) / “Jules” Rubin / Luca Ceccarelli DP/Co-Prod./Editor / and Rick Schmidt (right)––DPs and co-producers discussing shoot for MIRAGE at Cowgirl restaurant.
WATCH MOVIE FOR FREE (Click here) https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/936475782
Shooting MIRAGE at historical Aztec Coffee shop in Santa Fe (sad it’s gone!).
MORE OLD SANTA FE HISTORY (shops closing, etc.): here.
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