About the Film, Cast & Crew
The Film
A lone pioneer woman, untamed Montana, and the last of the outlaws.
It was the turn of the century in the American West. The great depression of the 19th century was over, and people flocked from foreign lands to homestead the vast prairies and forests of this rich land.
It is in this historical setting, American Homestead tells the story of a young woman doing something never before possible in human history – proving up the rights to her own property. The odds were against her – women’s rights were granted by men, not their creator. Malevolent forces left over from the Wild West frontier still threatened. And a married woman still could not lay claim to the income from her own property – nor vote for the representatives who taxed it.
Mary Doyle, our heroine, had to do it all alone…against all odds, she succeeded. But must she abandon everyone she has loved in order to keep what she has earned? When her long lost brother returns with a dark secret, after 14 years away, the motherless child she has raised as her own is threatened and she must find the courage one more time to make a home for the family she never expected to have.
“Redemption demands a price.”
Set amidst the grandeur of Big Sky Country, American Homestead is a feature length independent historical drama set in the early 20th century. The story of American Homestead is a fictionalized amalgamation of dozens of true stories told to the filmmakers by their families and the descendents of Montana pioneers.
The Crew
Executive Producers: Tim & Mary Larson
Co-Producer: Phillip Matarrese
Co-Producer / Line Producer: Mandi Meno
Writer/Director: Joseph Matarrese
Screenwriter: Aaron Rockwell
Director of Photography: Robert M. Edgecomb
Production Designer: Allessandro Marvelli
Set Decorator: Carly Larson
Editor: Art Freed
Production Manager: Anne Mari Dentici
Transportation Coordinator: Ryan Herem
Casting Director: Michelle Adams
Production Company
American Homestead Productions, LLC is a joint venture between Grant Larson Productions, LLC and Distant Thunder Films, LLC formed exclusively to bring American Homestead to world-wide film audiences. Grant Larson productions brings to bear decades of experience in publishing and multi-media productions through its principals, Tim and Mary Larson. Distant Thunder brings years of experience in filmmaking and production equipment rental through its principals, Joseph and Phillip Matarrese. Together, the companies have the ability to create high-quality independently produced entertainment at a low cost relative to major studios.
