Last Stand at Butte City

In 1880, amidst the unforgiving landscape of Butte City, Montana, 58-year-old Charlotte lives in self-imposed isolation on the land she has called home for over three decades. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway threatens to uproot her life, as she is given 30 days to vacate her property to make way for new tracks. This unwelcome intrusion forces Charlotte to confront the harrowing memories that bind her to the land, a place where she has buried not just her past, but also her pain.

Interwoven with the present-day struggle, we journey through Charlotte's past, beginning in 1847 when she and her husband Jesse first arrived on the land. Her memories, initially golden and filled with hope - darken with the loss of her husband, followed by the death of their daughter Hazel. Alone and vulnerable, Charlotte survives a brutal attack by outlaws that steals her innocence and sense of safety. Yet, the land becomes her anchor, her last connection to the life she once knew.

With no allies in her fight against the railroad, Charlotte spirals from denial to a desperate determination to protect her home. As the deadline looms, she readies herself for a final stand, armed and prepared to defend her land by any means necessary. However, an unexpected confrontation with her neighbor Vivian, who shares her own buried sorrows, forces Charlotte to confront her inner turmoil. In doing so, she discovers that healing and the ability to move forward may come from letting go, rather than clinging to the ghosts of her past.

Key Team

Producer: Susie Talbot

Director: Natalie Schwan

Costume Designer: Sarah Cogan

Production Company: Velocity Films

Contact : https://www.velocity-films.com/

Selling Points

Award Winning Filmmakers

• Susie Talbot brings her extensive experience working with Academy Award-winning talent and her passion for storytelling to Last Stand at Butte City. With a background in both scripted and unscripted projects, Susie has produced content that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her recent work includes producing the indie series I Need Your Love, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024. Susie is known for her ability to source, develop, and package compelling narratives, and her expertise will be invaluable in bringing Last Stand at Butte City to life.
• Natalie Schwan is an award-winning director and writer whose work often explores the vastness of the human condition. With a rich background in creating both commercial and narrative content, Natalie is adept at crafting visually stunning stories that inspire and challenge. Her passion for historical narratives and adventure is evident in her upcoming projects, which include a Montana-based Western and a Holocaust-era Jewish resistance story. Natalie’s personal connection to the film’s themes of grief and resilience adds depth and authenticity to her direction of Last Stand at Butte City.

Clear Revenue Potential: With $20,000 of the estimated $80,000 budget already raised, the project is well on its way to being fully funded. The production has applied for the Montana Big Sky Grant, which would provide additional financial support.