Josh and Rebecca Tickell have been familiar faces at the Sedona International Film Festival for years — but as documentary filmmakers. This year was a little different.
With past documentaries such as “Good Fortune,” “Pump,” “The Big Fix” and “Fuel,” the husband-and-wife duo have often been audience favorites. This year, they ventured into feature filmmaking with “Heartland,” which officially helped kick off SIFF’s 26th annual event. The audience filled the Sedona Performing Arts Center for their screening and Q&A on Saturday, Feb. 22.
According to the movie’s synopsis, “Inspired by real events, ‘Heartland’ follows Dan, a war veteran journalist who suffers from [post-traumatic stress disorder], during what becomes the spiritual transformation of a lifetime. Dan is hired to go to North Dakota and cover a confrontation around an oil pipeline that is being built at the Standing Rock Native American Reservation.
“Dan soon finds himself in between two worlds: The world of the pipeline company and the world of the indigenous people whose land the pipeline crosses. As the confrontation builds and battle lines are drawn, Dan is forced to make a series of impossible choices that will alter his life and the future of America itself.”
Following the movie, the Tickells were joined on stage for a question and answer session with some of “Heartland’s” cast, including David Arquette and Mariel Hemingway. Co-stars Amy Smart and Frances Fisher were scheduled to be on hand but had to cancel.
“Tonight you’re seeing our first scripted film before anyone else, even before the premiere,” Josh Tickell said to a loud applause just prior to the start of the film. Rebecca Tickell added that the film wasn’t completely finished at the time of its showing; they were still working on the sound and color. In fact, it was still being edited that day. “This was such a labor of love,” she said. “We love Sedona and are so happy to be here.”
Afterwards, Josh Tickell said much of the film was based on actual events even though the characters names were changed. He went to Standing Rock for a week, which helped inspire them to make the movie. “It was a forever-changing event,” he said.
In terms of casting, Rebecca Tickell said they wanted talented people who they could count on to help share their message. It also helped that those they chose are all activists in their personal lives.
“I’ve worked with you and we have been friends for a long time,” Hemingway said to the directors. “I always feel your sense of awareness of what’s going on in the world. This touches on not just the question of the Sioux Indians or the pipeline but it touched on the question of oil or other things important to you. For me, the question of PTSD is so strong because mental health is a big passion of mine. I think PTSD is under-treated and misunderstood.”
As to his participation, Arquette said, “You guys are artists and activists and I just wanted to help you. I know you guys are first-time directors, not that you haven’t made documentaries,
