Jesse Edwards – Alta Valley

We had the opportunity to chat with Jesse Edwards, the filmmaker of Alta Valley which is an official section at the 12th annual Utah Film Festival. 

To save her dying mother, a timid Mexican-Navajo mechanic bands together with a wild outlaw cowgirl to escape gangsters and take down a corrupt landowner in South Utah. Lupe and Maddy discover a great injustice destroying many lives. They confront many deep-seated wrongdoings of the past, and choose to redefine their future by demanding equality and FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM.

What was the inspiration to make Alta Valley?

I’ve always wanted to make films. Before starting Alta Valley, I decided this was the year I would do it. 

I had traveled through South Utah before and after doing some research on the area I was moved by the story of the Diné (Navajo) people.

This research, and experiences from my own life were the inspiration for the film.

From idea to completion, how did Alta Valley change?

The production changed so drastically and severely that I don’t have time or words to explain it here. 

But I would say the biggest changes were all positive ones and were done to make the story simpler and more digestible.

What was the biggest challenge in getting Alta Valley made?

The biggest challenge was the perseverance required to handle the thousands of small challenges that stretched out over the course of production.

The film took over 2 years to make and we faced difficult delays and issues through all stages of production. 

What do you think is the most important takeaway from your film?

“The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.”

If you could have a do over with your film is there anything that you would do differently?

It’s too harsh to judge the decisions we made in the past with the understanding we acquired later. 

If I were making another film though, there are of course many things I would do differently.  

How can we learn more about you and your projects?

You can read about me and my previous projects here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10257139/

You can read about Alta Valley here: https://www.altavalley.film/