In Los Angeles, the buzz is about 'Winter in the Blood'

“Winter in the Blood,” which was filmed on the Hi-Line, received rave reviews at the Los Angeles Film Festival this weekend.

There were positive stories in Variety and the Los Angeles Times and plenty of talk from California movie fans.

“There has been a lot of buzz here about ‘Winter in the Blood,’ said Deny Skaggs, Montana’s film commissioner, who was in Los Angeles this week supporting the movie and encouraging filmmakers to consider filming in the Treasure State.

The film tells the story of Virgil First Raise, a Fort Belknap resident, and his life on the reservation and in Havre as he deals with alcohol abuse and troubled relationships.

Two screenings were planned for later this week, but a third one has been added because of the interest, Skaggs said.

Variety wrote a favorable story, television stations have been talking about the film and the Los Angeles Times wrote a positive review.

“The film is artfully and skillfully made, with stunningly gorgeous cinematography of Montana’s High Line, (sic) and pitch perfect, highly detailed ’60s era production design. The score is beautiful, evocative and moody, and the performances (particularly by the Native American actors) feel authentic and lived in. Where the film suffers, though, is in its storytelling,” wrote Katie Walsh, the Times reviewer.

Just as important to Skaggs, the film excited Lois Welch, widow of James Welch, who authored the book upon which the movie is based.

“In movie magic, you have to make some adjustments from the book,” Skaggs said. That’s not always popular with the authors.

“She was just thrilled with it,” Skaggs said.

The next step, he said, is a formal opening in Missoula July 24.

“We are talking about being in the Hi-Line in September,” he said.

Putting the pieces together is proving to be hard, he said.

Brothers Alex and Andrew Smith have commitments and Chaske Spencer, who plays the starring role of Virgil First Raise, is involved in another project.

“We definitely want Chaske there,” he said.

He predicts the Hi-Line will be very pleased with the film.

“It shows Montana spectacularly,” he said. “I just run out of superlatives.”

“The Hi-Line looks phenomenal,” he said. “It really does.”

The storyline is great, he said, and it portrays Native Americans as people.

“You see a person with problems,” he said. “And he happens to be Native.”

Skaggs is convinced the film will be a hit with audiences.

“It was worth it for the Smiths to take longer and do this right,” he said.

The brothers finished the film with a state Big Sky Film grant. They did final touch-up work they wouldn’t have been able to do without the extra money, he said.

“This will be a postcard for Montana,” he said.