New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today the feature production Persecuted, an original political drama by New Mexico Writer/Director Daniel Lusko. Producing with Lusko are Oscar-winning producer Gray Frederickson (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now), and New Mexico Line Producer Brent Morris (Monster, Frank).
Starring award-winning actor James Remar(X-Men: First Class, Dexter, Django: Unchained) and Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Davison (X-Men, Lost, Castle). Other cast includes New Mexico's Dean Stockwell (Air Force One, The Manchurian Candidate), Fred Thompson (Law & Order, Die Hard 2), Raoul Trujillo (Apocalypto, The New World) and Grammy-nominated singer Natalie Grant.
Production will begin mid-July and end early August in Albuquerque. The production will employ approximately 60 New Mexico crew members, 20 principals and 350 background talent.
"This is a real New Mexico movie, made by New Mexicans from the ground up," states Director Daniel Lusko.
Persecuted is the story of a contemporary evangelist John Luther (Remar) who is framed for murder by Senator Donald Harrison (Davison)and his allies. Suddenly, Luther's once normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive vowing to expose those responsible, a mission that brings him face-to-face with a coming storm of persecution.