One of the great things about New Mexico is there are so many stories we can tell right here. Whether they are large or small themes, shooting and storytelling in this state has expanded. The art house film “The Deception” is one of these.
The criminal in this film is public opinion and how it drives, at least in the case of this story, a politician named Christopher “Chip” Quinones (David Busse) who makes the ultimate choice in following fictitious fame.
IMBD summarizes the film this way: “Composed of two intertwining stories, one a gay coming-of-age story of a teenager nicknamed ‘Chip’ and his first love; the second, that same character twenty years later. Now called Christopher and in the closet, he wants a life in politics, and is about to run for the Maryland Senate with the help of his fiancée’s family—one of the most politically connected in Washington. But when Chris’ first love resurfaces in his life, a man who reignites a passion in him, Chris’ carefully constructed world threatens to crumble around him.”
The film is a swirl of questions we want answered for ourselves and of society: Is it better to be gay or a criminal? Is it better to follow a lie and be validated by “society” (or at least this story’s version of that reality) or to tell the truth? Why is it when truths are told that ears become hard if they don’t want to hear it? And—what will we have to talk about when it is no longer a scandal to be gay?
While the ending is predictable if you are paying attention, for some, it will be a shock—and something to continue to dialog about, especially in light of our recent elections.
And sadly, while director/writer/producer Jay Durrwatcher will not be able to see it, the Santa Fe Film Festival is the home of his film’s premiere.
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“The Deception” is playing at the CCA on 9 December @ 3.15 PM.
For more information and complete program and schedule, please visit the Santa Fe Film Festival website.
To purchase tickets, visit TicketsSantaFe.org.
