Al Pacino, who needs no introduction, stars in an upcoming film produced by Las Cruces filmmaker Ross Marks.
The film, called “The Ritual,” opens at Allen Theatres Cineport 10, 700 S. Telshor Blvd., on June 6.
The famed actor, who is 83, plays a priest who performs an exorcism on a woman who locals believe is possessed by the devil.
“The Ritual” is a horror film based on a true story. Marks, who produced it, said the film is based on a true story about the last officially ordained exorcism to take place on U.S. soil.
Filmed as a period piece, “The Ritual” is set in Ohio in the early 1920s.
“We tried to stay as faithful to the original story as possible,” Marks said.
This will be Marks’ producing debut.
Marks is the executive director and founder of the Las Cruces International Film Festival. He directs films and teaches filmmaking at New Mexico State University.
He said this film represents a milestone for him as it’s the director’s first time to switch roles and step in as a film producer.
But it’s not his last. “The Ritual” was shot in Natchez, Mississippi, in 2024. Marks already has two new projects lined up – one called “The Mench” to begin shooting in August and another called “A Silent Violence,” which starts shooting September 15th. Marks will work as producer for both of those films.
But, in addition to making his debut as a producer, Marks had the opportunity to work with a film legend.
What’s it like to work with Pacino?
Marks said Pacino is “very quiet and shy.”
“But when the camera rolls, he becomes that character. He takes his craft very seriously,” Marks said.
Marks said Pacino just has…something.
“I’ve worked with Academy Award winners. He has an ‘it’ factor. He’s something special. You can’t take your eyes off him,” Marks said.
Marks said he is really excited to shift his career toward producing.
“I can’t direct as many movies as I would like so I pivoted to producing through my production company, followed up with ‘Brewmance,’” he said.
“Brewmance” is a romantic comedy Marks produced in 2024.
Marks said it was hard at first not to be the one making the creative decisions behind the camera, but once he settled in as producer, he said he loved it. He said working with Pacino was a real high point for his career, too.
“There were a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments sitting on the set, growing up knowing Al as one of the great actors. I was tickled and thrilled to be there. It’s so difficult to get a movie made. It’s a miracle any film gets made. It’s truly a miracle to work with Al,” Marks said.
Pacino is not the only famous actor who appears in the movie. The film is star packed with roles delivered by Dan Stephens, from “Downtown Abbey,” Patricia Heaton, from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Patrick Fabian from “Better Call Saul,” and Ashley Greene from “Twilight.”
Marks said that while “The Ritual” is a horror film, it tells a human story.
“It’s a fascinating look at American history and how people with mental illness were deemed as demons who had taken over their souls and minds,” Marks said.
