Arizona-made Civil War film debuts in Scottsdale
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"The War Between" was filmed near Tucson. Photo: Courtesy of "The War Between"
A new feature film about the Civil War's westernmost battle is a "love letter" to Arizona on and off screen, the filmmakers tell Axios.
The big picture: "The War Between," set in the Arizona Territory in 1862, features an almost entirely Arizona-based cast and crew. Its theatrical premiere is Friday at Harkins Shea 14 in Scottsdale.
- It was one of the first films to take advantage of the recently revived state film tax credit, which is currently being challenged in court.
Why it matters: The film encapsulates what proponents hoped the tax credit would yield: an Arizona story filmed in Arizona with Arizona talent.
Zoom in: "The War Between" centers on Corporal Israel Terry, who suffers amnesia during the Battle of Picacho Peak and must forge a reluctant alliance with an enemy soldier and a Chiricahua Apache "Great Seer."
- "The main message … is recognizing the humanity in who you think is your enemy," director Deborah Correa told us.
The intrigue: The film was shot outside Tucson, near where the Picacho Peak conflict occurred in 1862 — "[We were] surrounded by saguaro cactus that were probably there during the actual battle," Correa told us — and included Arizona-based horse wranglers, armorers and tribal advisers who ensured cultural and time period authenticity.
Between the lines: Screenwriter Ron Yungul told us he wanted to set the story against the backdrop of a chapter of history most people are unaware of: the Southwest's role in the Civil War.
- He said he hopes the film sparks curiosity around Arizona's lesser-known history.
- "It's a great legacy if it does that," he said.
Friction point: State lawmakers voted to revive the Arizona Motion Picture Production Program in 2022 to incentivize moviemaking in the state, but the conservative Goldwater Institute sued to halt the tax incentive this year.
- The think tank argues that the program, which can provide up to $125 million in rebates per year, violates the state's gift clause by providing "handouts" to the film industry.
The other side: Yungul said small productions like "The War Between" depend on these incentives. He said the film team went over budget during filming with the expectation that it would receive money back from the state that is now held up in court.
The bottom line: "We're telling different stories that are so unique to Arizona," he said. "How can [the state] not benefit from that in addition to whatever we contributed to the tax base?"
If you go: Harkins Shea 14 screens the film Friday at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 9pm. The 1pm and 7pm showings include a Q&A with the filmmakers.
- "The War Between" will be available to rent on streaming services including Amazon Prime on Nov. 25.