“Winter in the Blood” LA Film Fest, Standing Outside Room Only

This week Montanans and people of the Hi-Line community are making more history. “Winter in the Blood” is standing, outside room only to get into viewings at the LA Film Festival.

Montana Native, James Welch, wrote the original novel “Winter in the Blood” in 1974. Many people around Missoula knew James Welch. The directors of the movie, twin brothers Alex and Andrew Smith and James Welch, were all neighbors.  “Winter in the Blood”, according to actor in the film, Joseph Grady, “became a grass roots Montana effort. It gave all of Montana an opportunity to be a producer and investor where the people involved grew up here, filmed here, and partook in community fundraising here.”

In the indie film, “Winter in the Blood”, Joseph plays Ferdinand, a pivotal character in James Welch’s novel, that helps the nameless protagonist make a dynamic character change in his heart.  The protagonist is a 32-year-old Blackfeet Indian who wakes up in a ditch, after a drinking spree, and sees a shocking vision of his father.  He comes home to find that Agnes, his Cree girlfriend, has left him and taken his gun.  The protagonist, named Vigil First Raise in the movie and portrayed by actor Chaske Spencer, goes on a quest to find his girlfriend, or maybe just the gun.  During his journey, the protagonist searches for his own sense of identity and desires salvation. “Bloodied and broken by his quest he realizes he must look inward, for the strength he needs to survive.” ~ “Winter in the Blood” film official website.

“The grass roots Montana film” sold out for their original show at the LA Film Festival, and the second screening sold out online.  Additional viewings were added for all those wanting to see the film.  The only way you can see the film now is to attend the Saturday matinee on June 22nd or early on June 14th or 19th and “hang in the RUSH LINE“.

You can watch an exclusive clip of the film from IndieWire on The Playlist with special music by Robert Plant singing the cover of the song “Nothing Takes The Place Of You”.

More of Joseph Grady’s story to come in later posts on Indie It Press. Featuring his indie film work on “Winter in the Blood”, “Jimmy P”, and “Subterranea”. As well as a play he co-wrote with actress Lily Gladstone titled “Traps” , his incredible fine art, along with beautiful nuggets from our interview regarding his spirituality and journey in life. As always, thank you for supporting indie artists and for reading our eZine.