Location scouting

Five films shot in Oklahoma

Many of the past year’s Oklahoma-based film productions have made use of the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate, which offers between 35 and 37 percent on qualifying projects. Hollywood films have also capitalized on the incentive (most notably, “August: Osage County”), but the program’s investment in local industry has a lasting impact long after the stars have moved on. Here are five Oklahoma-shot indies on their way to the big screen.  

American Honey

News of writer/director Andrea Arnold’s latest production mainly revolved around Shia LaBeouf sightings in Muskogee in May. Arnold established herself firmly (and internationally) with the 2009 Cannes Jury Prize-winner, “Fish Tank.” In “American Honey,” Pagan (Arielle Holmes) is a teenager who winds up on a road trip across the Midwest with a bohemian crew of traveling magazine salesmen. Let’s assume Shia is the troublemaker. With no trailer or release date, our only point of reference is Arnold’s past work, which is to say “American Honey” is something to look forward to. 

Let Me Make You a Martyr

Writer/director John Swab returned to Tulsa earlier this year to shoot this long-in-development passion project with co-director Corey Asraf. Their first feature, “Martyr” shot recently in the Tulsa area. This looks to be a promisingly atmospheric Southern Gothic noir. The film stars Marilyn Manson as a hit man called in by an adopted brother and sister (Niko Nicotera and Sam Quartin), presumably to assassinate their abusive dad. Reuniting with fellow “Sons of Anarchy” alums Nicotera and Manson, Mark Boone Junior also makes an appearance. 

The Veil

I had to double check to make sure OKC-based director/producer Brent Ryan Green shot this medieval adventure in Oklahoma. Starring Serinda Swan (“TRON: Legacy”) and William Moseley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), “The Veil” is the story of a lone soldier who rebels against his way of life to champion a princess amidst an impending and apocalyptic war. “The Veil” appears to occupy its own world, divorced from familiarity (unless you’re into “Game of Thrones”). The apparent skill on display and the curiosity of a Campbellian hero’s journey shot in the 405 are more than enough reason to be interested.

Pax Masculina

There’s no trailer for this one yet (shooting wrapped a month ago), but if there were, I imagine it being narrated by the “In a world…” guy. Written and directed by Ross Johnson (with John Scamehorn of “The Posthuman Project”), this women’s suffrage allegory takes place in a dystopian, sci-fi, steampunk future world ruled by a patriarchal religious leader who sees women as servile incubators. Like if Mike Huckabee became president. Shot in the Guthrie area, the film makes the familiar look anything but, via elaborate costuming, special effects and unique use of the locale. Premieres in 2016. 

Blueberry Hall

The feature debut from writer/director/producer Keshav Tyagi, “Blueberry Hall” also shot in Guthrie and even shares some crew with “Pax Masculina.” The Southern Gothic noir (a popular genre of late) revolves around two college debaters, Ian (Matt Holmes) and Dustin (Josh Bonzie), who start using and selling study drugs in order to win a scholarship to Harvard Law School. The film is in the can but has no trailer or firm release date. 

Honorable mention: Writer and director Jonathan Rossetti initially planned to shoot the follow-up to his well-received ode to Tulsa, “Home, James,” this summer. “Blue Whale” has been rescheduled for next year and will likely launch a Kickstarter to support production in the near future. 

For more information on these and other films shooting across the state, visit ok.gov/oklahomafilm.

For more from Joe, read his roundup of seven great films about drinking.