Now You Know Sept. 25, 2026

‘Pandemonium’ in Las Cruces

New Mexico continues to inspire Icelandic director Anton Sigurdsson, who traveled to Las Cruces to film two productions in the past year: “A Better Place” in 2025, which is in post-production and is set to be released in 2027, and most recently “Pandemonium.” 

Sigurdsson came to New Mexico because of the state’s film incentive program. He came back because of his positive experience. 

New Mexico’s film incentive program, which has been around for more than 20 years, offers a refundable film tax credit with a base of 25% and up to 40% on qualifying in state production and post-production spend, with additional uplifts for rural filming, qualified facilities, and TV series.

Steve Graham, New Mexico Film Office director, said the world-class crews and locations are a few of the reasons filmmakers return to New Mexico.

“Anton is just one example of a filmmaker who has returned to New Mexico for more than one project,” Graham said. “It’s productions like these that keep our hard-working crews on set. Each story creates its own magic.”

“Pandemonium,” which wrapped in June, employed 30 New Mexico crew members, 15 New Mexico principal actors and 25 background actors.

Meanwhile, “A Better Place,” employed more than 100 New Mexico residents, including 40 resident crew members, 27 principal talent, and more than 30 background talent. Both productions brought a significant economic impact of filming in southern New Mexico.

“Pandemonium” follows a group of wealthy New Yorkers who arrive at a secluded desert retreat with no communication to the outside world, seeking personal transformation. Meanwhile, “A Better Place” centers on a disgraced deputy and his partners who are involved in a cover-up that spirals into a chaotic web of paranoia, greed, and buried secrets.

Both films star Theo Rossi (“The Penguin”), Billy Campbell (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”), and Rosaline Elbay (“The Diplomat”) and exist in the same universe.

“Film Las Cruces is excited to have another project from Anton Sigurdsson especially because of how many locals ‘Pandemonium’ has showing off their amazing talent,” said Andrew Jara, Film Las Cruces film liaison.

Unalienable opens at the Branigan Cultural Center 

Unalienable, the newest exhibition by local multimedia artist Angel Cabrales, will be open from Friday, Oct. 2, until Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027, at the Branigan Cultural Center. An opening reception will take place 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, with the artist in attendance.

Unalienable draws inspiration from the first sentence from the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Borderlands can be seen as the nexus of dreams for many migrants, an Ellis Island within the Southwest. Through this exhibition, Cabrales explores the experiences of migrants pursuing the American Dream, highlighting their trials and tribulations, celebrated achievements, and the never-ending struggle needed to make these dreams attainable. Through large-scale three-dimensional works, Cabrales brings these ideas into physical form, creating immersive pieces that evoke the complexities of migration, identity, struggle, and the pursuit of a better life.

Angel Cabrales is a multimedia artist and arts educator based in the El Paso area. His work examines aspects of Latinx identity, immigration, inequality and histories, as a part of American culture that is sometimes misconstrued because of political and media rhetoric. Cabrales views everything as a potential artistic resource, providing him with a flexibility to utilize a variety of mediums and styles. He merges media with intangible elements to create interactive experiences that merge art with new technologies and the socio-political concerns of today.

The Branigan Cultural Center is located at 501 N. Main St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from Roadrunner Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For additional information, visit the website at LasCruces.gov/Museums or call (575) 541-2221, TTY 711.

Flag retirement

On Aug. 22, Robert G. Gamboa Knights of Columbus Council 9527 held a Flag Retirement ceremony at Holy Cross Church. Saint Micheals the Archangel Assembly was the Color Guard and many from the public were present. Over 75 flags were retired.

Mayor's bike ride
Las Cruces residents who have a bicycle are invited to join Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez for the 2026 Mayor’s Bike Ride.

The Mayor’s Bike Ride begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St. The route is about ten miles long and will end at the plaza.  The route uses local streets and roadway bicycle lanes.
“This will be the thirteenth Mayor's Bike Ride, having started in May 2014. This year we'll make a loop starting from the plaza and going first though the Alameda Depot neighborhood, then the Mesquite neighborhood, up Hadley to the park complex, then down and across to University Avenue and back on Espina ending at the plaza. We'll be on the lookout for mural art, with as many as thirty locations along the way,” said George Pearson, vice president of Velo Cruces.
The ride is an easy, low-speed, family friendly event. The ride is not recommended for children younger than 12-years old unless they are in a trailer, tandem, or trail-a-bike. Helmets are required for all riders.  A map for the route is available at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57170585.
The event is sponsored by the City of Las Cruces and Velo Cruces Inc., a community advocacy group working to transform Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley into a great bicycle and pedestrian-friendly community.

For more information about the 2026 Mayor’s Bike Ride contact Catrina Godinez, Community Engagement Manager, at 575/528-3003 or by email at cgodinez@lascruces.gov, or email George Pearson at velocruces@gmail.com.