“A Long Road to Tao” screens at the Fountain Theatre

The Mesilla Valley Film Society will present the award-winning tale of love, loss, and enlightenment, “A Long Road to Tao,” March 28 - April 3 at the historic Fountain Theatre in Mesilla. Inspired by Michael Allen’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated book Tao of Surfing, the film follows a writer’s emotional journey as he reconnects with a long-lost friend, uncovering profound lessons on life, death, and spirituality. The week-long event will include special appearances by cast and crew on opening night.

“A Long Road to Tao” is a tale of love, loss and higher understanding. A struggling, stuck writer finds himself shaken to learn that his best friend, who mysteriously disappeared from the pro-surfing tour years earlier, is gay and dying of AIDS. He immerses himself into his idol’s mystical philosophies of Taoism and Native American spirituality while getting “one last stoke” before facing death together. As one soul transcends towards heaven, the survivor is left full of inspiration, courage and empathy.

Director Alex Carig and Author Michael Allen at the Las Cruces International Film Festival.

Courtesy photo

The film was partially shot in Las Cruces and Mesilla and employed students from the New Mexico State University Creative Media Institute. Additionally, film students under the guidance of New Mexico Casting Director Jennifer Schwalenberg assisted with local casting for the film.

The film’s opening night, March 28, will feature special appearances by Author/Producer/Co-Screenwriter Michael Allen and Director/Co-Screenwriter Alex Carig, along with regional cast and crew, including Molly Reid, Norman Patrick Brown, Humberto Castro, Hilda Luz Chavez, and Gregorio Facio. Also on hand will be the Director of Photography NMSU CMI professor Sherwin Lau, storyboard artist Gerry Fail, and California actor Mike Clancy.

Carig’s work includes thirty years in the feature film industry, broadcast radio and local television. Alex strives to find socially relevant stories that entertain, educate, and enlighten.

Allen is the creator of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book, “Tao of Surfing,” written after receiving his master’s degree in philosophy, while also dealing with the death of his best friend, which is the basis for “A Long Road to Tao.”

Soon after the publication, Allen realized that the book could impact lives on the big screen. He pulled in Carig to write the screenplay together and to ultimately embark on the twenty-year journey to create the film.

The opening night screening will start at 7:30pm on Friday, March 28 at the Fountain Theatre, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla. Seating is limited and advance ticket purchase is advised, either online or at the theatre. Regular tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. A special discounted showing at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, will be offered at $6 for students with a valid I.D.

The Mesilla Valley Film Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization and has operated the Fountain Theatre since 1989. For more information about the film society, film schedule and ticket purchase, visit their website, mesillavalleyfilm.org.