4 Digital and Sony Pictures to Release The West and the Ruthless

The West and the Ruthless, the debut feature film by Nick + Lexie, was picked up in Cannes by 4 Digital and will be released for Sony Pictures. The sale was overseen by Tall Tree Entertainment who acquired the film earlier this year. 

The film will be released on DVD, Blu Ray, and Digital.

The West and the Ruthless premiered at AIFF in April and has received rave reviews with praise for it’s performances and cinematography as well as it’s non-linear structure with comparisons to Doug Liman’s film “Go” and the works of Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Danny Brown, Dan Fowlks, Rebecca Gomberg, Paul Haapaneimi, Alexander Harris, Benedict Mazurek, Will Roberts, Zoe Sloane, with Matt Boone and Katelyn Ann Clark. 

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
Interview with Script Magazine

We just did a really GREAT interview with Cheryl Laughlin for Script Magazine!

The article discusses the Myths About Westerns and Why We Actually Love Them.

The interview is with Nick Trivundza and Cat Stewart discussing the aspects of writing a western film for modern audiences. 

Here’s one of our favorite parts:

“We invented the fictional town of Crow’s Landing, so it could be everything we ever wanted a Western town to be,” Nick notes. “For audiences, it’s somewhere old but new: it’s a place where people from all walks of life are colliding out West. It’s a melting pot of diversity and people looking for new beginnings.”

And Cat reminds us why we like these characters in the first place, “Characters in the old West were the original anti-heroes. There’s a real catharsis in seeing a really bad guy (or girl) finally get what’s coming to him.”

Check out the full article right here:

http://www.scriptmag.com/features/three-myths-westerns-actually-love

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
Location Scouting: Mescal

The day after the Premiere of The West and the Ruthless (which was phenomenal :) we met up with Producer Rob Jensen and headed out to Mescal, which seems to be out in the middle of nowhere as your drive through the deserts of Arizona. Rob was one of the producers on The West and the Ruthless and heads up the production at Old Tucson Studios.

When we were shooting the film, he had also mentioned how amazing their other backlot was, Mescal. It’s the legendary site of the OK Corral shootout from Tombstone. 

The location scout was like having a private tour of a ghost town. it was amazing. Here’s a few snapshots below.  

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, Location Scouts
The West and the Ruthless, Premiere and Party!

What an incredible Premiere we had for The West and the Ruthless! Thank you for everyone who came out to support the film (I cannot believe how packed the theater was, holy crap!) and for all of you who rooted for us from further away!! 

The audience reaction was full of so much enthusiasm and excitement! I could feel them going through each of the emotional arcs throughout the film which was just so amazing. I am so proud of everyone who worked so hard and so much to help accomplish this dream Nick and I have had for so long! It was definitely up there as one of the best moments in my life and will cherish that memory for a very long time! :D

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless Heads to Cannes

Our feature film The West and the Ruthless will be heading to Cannes this May! The film was acquired for World Wide Distribution by Tall Tree Entertainment in January as part of their 2017 line up. International sales kicked off during the Berlin Film Festival at EFM and will now continue during the Marche Du Film at the Festival de Cannes. 

The film, Directed by Nick + Lexie Trivundza and produced in Association with Old Tucson Studios and stars Danny Brown, Dan Fowlks, Rebecca Gomberg, Paul Haapaniemi, Alexander Harris, Benedict Mazurek, Will Roberts, Zoe Sloane with Matt Boone, and Katelyn Ann Clark. 

If you haven’t seen the trailer or posters, you can check everything out at the Official Site:

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, Panel Discussion

Join us April 21st at 7:30PM for a Panel Discussion following The West and the Ruthless! We'll chat about the making of the film and also have a Q&A. The Panel will take place as part of AIFF and we couldn’t be more excited!

Tickets will be on sale soon! For more information check out the Official Site:

http://www.filmfestivalarizona.com

Also, with the Premiere quickly approaching, we just had the chance to proof the posters heading out from the print shop on their way to the festival. They look incredible! 

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
Brand New Interview with Zocalo Magazine!

The April Issue of Zocalo Magazine is out! SUPER excited for this issue since it includes an interview we just did and some Behind the Scenes on The West and the Ruthless! 

Here's one of my favorite parts:

Zocalo Magazine: You co-directed the film with your wife, Lexie. How did the two of you end up working together?

NT: Lexie and I met in the advertising world where she was producing and I was directing for advertising agencies. The romantic and creative partnership sort of happened instantaneously. We kept getting paired up on the same projects. So, one thing lead to another, yada yada yada, now we’re married and decided to direct our first feature film together, a Western. Our daughter - who was a year and a half at the time of the shoot - makes a cameo in the film.

For the FULL ARTICLE:

Please make sure to buy a copy today! OR read it online over at:

http://www.zocalomagazine.com

Or DOWNLOAD it for your iPad, Tablet, Desktop:

https://issuu.com/zocalomagazine

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, Tons of Awards!

We’re thrilled to announce that The West and the Ruthless just took home a ton of awards! The Genre Celebration Festival (a celebration of genre films including Westerns, Sci-Fi, Horror, Noir, and more) has officially sent us the award announcements! 

The film was awarded Best Western Film, Best Actress (for Danny Brown as Mary Laclede) and Best Visual FX. The film was also nominated for Best Actor (for Alexander Harris as Grant Morgan) and Best Cinematography!

Genre Celebration Festival Screenings will be happening later this year in Shanghai! 

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, World Premiere at the Arizona International Film Festival!

We are so excited to announce the World Premiere of The West and the Ruthless! The Premiere will be held during the Arizona International Film Festival this April! 

After shooting the film in Tucson, we couldn’t think of a better place to hold the World Premiere! The Arizona International Film Festival is the longest running Film Festival in Arizona and will be held April 19th - 30th. 

The Premeire will take place April 21st, Friday, at 7:30PM. 

The West and the Ruthless was Directed By Nick + Lexie Trivundza and Produced in Association with Old Tucson Studios. The film stars (in alphabetical order) Danny Brown, Dan Fowlks, Rebecca Gomberg, Paul Haapeniemi, Alexander Harris, Benedict Mazurek, Will Roberts, and Zoe Sloane with Matt Boone and Katelyn Ann Clark.

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, Beautiful Coloring

With the West and the Ruthless off to Berlin last week we had the chance to jump in and do some amazing last minute coloring and VFX work! Down below are just a few examples from the final film. 

The first shot below of Rebeca Gomberg as Scarlet is actually a set extension. The original shot only went to the windows beside her. The back of the train is all a recreation. 

Here's a few more of the beautiful new details. 

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaNaissance, The West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, International Posters!

As The West and the Ruthless prepares to head off, we wanted to show off the international posters! We released the first one last week with the news that the film had been acquired for world wide distribution and the second one a few days ago with the Berlin announcement. 

Take a look at the full set below! They’re badass! 

Nick TrivundzaNaissance, The West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless Heads to Berlin!

Tall Tree Entertainment has acquired worldwide sales and distribution rights to the Western Action / Drama, The West and the Ruthless. It will launch international sales in Berlin at the European Film Market taking place during the Berlin International Film Festival!

The West and the Ruthless, Official Logline:

In the dusty streets of Crow's Landing, outlaws, wealthy plantation owners, runaway slaves, a half Cherokee girl, a pair of brothel owners and a woman days away from giving birth all end up in a bloody shoot out and running for their lives.

The film was directed by Nick + Lexie Trivundza and produced in association with Old Tucson Studios (Tombstone, The Quick and the Dead, 3:10 to Yuma, The Magnificent 7).

The West and the Ruthless, International Poster 2

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaNaissance, The West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless Acquired for World Wide Distribution!

The West and the Ruthless has just been acquired for World Wide Distribution with Tall Tree Entertainment and will be added to their 2017 Slate of Films along with their producing partner GSP Studios! 

The West and the Ruthless, directed by Nick + Lexie Trivundza, was filmed on location this last summer in association with Old Tucson Studios (Tombstone, The Quick and the Dead, 3:10 to Yuma, The Magnificent Seven). The film stars in alphabetical order: Danny Brown, Dan Fowlks, Rebecca Gomberg, Paul Haapeniemi, Alexander Harris, Benedict Mazurek, Will Roberts, and Zoe Sloane with Matt Boone and Katelyn Ann Clark. 

GSP’s current slate includes That Good Night with two-time Oscar nominated John Hurt and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Mad to be Normal starring David Tennant (Dr. Who, Broadchurch), and Diamond Geezers with Brian Cox and Tom Courtenay. Tall Tree Entertainment is currently releasing If I Were You with Oscar Winning Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock, Mystic River) with Joseph Kell, and Aiden Quinn, as well as the upcoming TV Series Harrigan. 

The West and the Ruthless, International Poster 1

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
Adventure Company

We had the opportunity to work with lettering genius Tobias Saul on our motion logo for Adventure Company, which can be seen at the opening of The West and the Ruthless.

His work was once again nothing short of stellar. 

We wanted to show off a behind the scenes of all of his design work right here.

We’ve also launched a very Hollywood website as well (meaning it’s just a logo on black). 

www.adventure.company

For all of the Titles, Posters, and Artwork of The West and the Ruthless, check out the article below for the full collection:

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaAdventure Company, The West and the Ruthless, 2017
The West and the Ruthless, Opening Titles

If you’ve seen some of the opening titles we’ve designed over the years for other films, you’ll know we love blood. Love it. For design purposes only of course, otherwise we’d be like weird or something. Well, the titles to The West and the Ruthless kick off with blood and head straight for the stage coach. This clip features Danny Brown, Dan Folks, Rebecca Gomberg, Paul Haapaniemi, and Alexander Harris.

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2017
Making a Feature in 10 Days and Breaking All the Rules

We made our feature film, The West and the Ruthless,  in 10 days. I know there’s a lot of great articles on how to do this BUT we decided to go ahead and make a feature film in 10 days AND break all of the rules. 

What are those rules? Well, I’m glad you asked. You can read the entire article right here. It features highlights such as being arrested for guns when we were 16 and more!

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2016
The West and the Ruthless, Full Trailer and Reviews!
The West and the Ruthless, Full Trailer and Reviews!

Our Full Trailer for the West and the Ruthless is here! This is unlike any western you’ve seen before! Here’s what the critics are saying: 

“An Instant Indie Western Classic!” 
 Reelhouse

“Exhilarating!” 
 Reelhouse

“Excellent with Wry, Black Humor!” 
 The Film Buzz

“Like A Tarantino with Morals!”
 The Black List

“It’s Not Called the West and the Nice People!”
 The Modesto Bee

“One of Ten New Directors Picked by Robert Rodriguez”
 El Rey Network

“Dynamic, Stylish, Refreshing, Darkly Comedic.”
 The Black List

And if you missed the Teaser Trailer, you can check that out right here!

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2016
The West and the Ruthless, End Titles

With Post-Production now a wrap on our Feature Film, The West and the Ruthless, there’s one last thing to show off, the End Titles, because when a movie is over you see the … wait for it … end titles! These are the Main on End Titles that we showed style frames for earlier. 

Check ‘em out! They’re beautiful! They’re bloody!

AND they bring in the wonderful style of the Posters all together with the film!

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2016
The West and the Ruthless, Last Batch of Stills!

Our last batch of stills from our upcoming Feature Film, The West and the Ruthless, are here! It’s been really fun picking out some of our favorite shots from the film and it's been so exciting for the raves the cinematography has been getting (which we wouldn't have been able to pull off without our INCREDIBLE crew!) 

You can check them out right here, or over on our Instagram!

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, 2016
Another Cool Interview, an Emmy, and John Carpenter!

What an awesome week! 

We just did another cool interview about our upcoming episode on Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network! (Which is playing this weekend!) with host John Carpenter! The Episode showcases brand new work from directors such as ourselves, Eli Roth, and a ton of other awesome directors! 

For more information check that out right here:

https://www.facebook.com/ElReyNetwork/videos/900548473382916/

We chat about our short film Jack The Ripper as well as our upcoming Feature, The West and the Ruthless! Here’s a quick snippet:

"There are a few shout-outs to St. Louis in it," Nick Trivundza said. "One of the cowboys in the story is from Missouri, and the lead female character is named Mary Laclede." After Laclede’s Landing. 

Check that out right here:

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/joe-holleman/former-stl-man-will-have-horror-short-broadcast-on-cable/article_cc3ec7fe-ceb6-5cba-b178-30b75335ea39.html

And to top it off, we just found out that The Dead Unknown, which we worked on with director Michael Schiller, took home an Emmy! Here’s a wonderful article on the documentary:

https://www.revealnews.org/article/digging-up-a-45-year-mystery-on-a-kentucky-hillside/

Naissance NewsNick TrivundzaThe West and the Ruthless, Jack The Ripper, 2016