WHAT: “The Ritual,” a horror film starring Al Pacino and produced by New Mexico State University Creative Media Institute professor Ross Marks, will premier Thursday, June 5 at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10 at an invitation-only special screening hosted by Marks. The film will release in theatres nationwide on Friday, June 6.
WHO: “The Ritual” features actors Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, and Patricia Heaton. The film is written and directed by Las Cruces International Film Festival alum David Midell. The film is about two priests, one in crisis with his faith and the other confronting a turbulent past, who must overcome their differences to perform a risky exorcism. The film is based on a true story about the last officially ordained exorcism on U.S. soil.
WHEN: The Ritual will premier Thursday, June 5 at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10 in Las Cruces with an invitation-only special screening hosted by Marks. The film will release in theatres nationwide on Friday, June 6.
WHERE: Allen Theatres Cineport 10 for a special screening June 5 and in theaters nationwide on June 6.
BACKGROUND: “The Ritual” came about when director David Midell screened his debut film “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” at the Las Cruces International Film Festival. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the LCIFF.
“I was so impressed by David and his film that I offered to help get his next film off the ground,” Marks said. “David gave me the script for “The Ritual” and I knew right away the film would make for great cinema. Through some industry contacts, I was able to get the script to Al, and we were off and running.”
“The Ritual was born out of the LCIFF. The movie showcases the film festival’s commitment to fostering emerging talent in the film industry. Marks aims to continue supporting young filmmakers as a producer. Marks recently produced “Love On Tap” for director and NMSU and CMI alumnus Keagan Karnes and has three other projects lined up to produce.
Link to “The Ritual” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcGwpD0_Ohs
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