High Strange New Mexico Reviewed
Critics, reviewers and audience members have called High Strange New Mexico one of the most unusual, interesting and unbiased takes on the UFO phenomenon ever produced. We just think it's a hell of a lot of fun, with a few scares thrown in for good measure, like a good roller coaster ride. Check out some of what folks had to say about the High Strange New Mexico experience.
Spirit Magazine
High Strange New Mexico, a two-hour documentary film, is one media project that doesn’t set out to “prove” anything. The brainchild of the Taos Pueblo filmmaker James Lujan and Albuquerque Journal reporter Anthony DellaFlora, High Strange takes a sympathetic and non-judgmental look at New Mexico’s colorful subculture. Lujan and DellaFlora, who maintain “a healthy agnosticism,” turn on the camera and let it roll. The result is a delightful and often hilarious potpourri of modern-day perceptions of the UFO phenomenon. The film skillfully balances the views of UFO believers, skeptics, folklorists, politicians, Native Americans, Hispanics, New Agers, abductees, researchers, cops, military people and a host of UFO “experiences.”
Lujan and DellaFlora came away from the project impressed by the sincerity of the participants, but still won’t venture a guess as to the “reality” of the phenomena. Why does the Land of Enchantment have so much “high strangeness?” Folklorist Peter White, a professor at the University of New Mexico, speculates that it’s because “nowhere else in the United States do you have such a juxtaposition of ancient medieval culture with modern technological science.” White relates the story of a Mora, New Mexico man who as recently as 1939, was tried for witchcraft because his wife said he turned into a frog at night. (More)
Lujan and DellaFlora came away from the project impressed by the sincerity of the participants, but still won’t venture a guess as to the “reality” of the phenomena. Why does the Land of Enchantment have so much “high strangeness?” Folklorist Peter White, a professor at the University of New Mexico, speculates that it’s because “nowhere else in the United States do you have such a juxtaposition of ancient medieval culture with modern technological science.” White relates the story of a Mora, New Mexico man who as recently as 1939, was tried for witchcraft because his wife said he turned into a frog at night. (More)
Nexus Magazine
Editor Duncan Roads reviews High Strange New Mexico
Don’t be put off by the title! This great movie covers much more than just “high strangeness’ in New Mexico.
Sure, it covers the Roswell incident, and Socorro, the waves of UFOs overflying large towns in broad daylight during the 1950s and many other unexplained phenomena, but utilizing interviews, etc., it also explores what’s going on in people’s heads about it all — which extends the boundaries well beyond New Mexico!
I like the fact that the producers gave time to people who were mildly skeptical, as well as time to people directly involved with each case. The video gives what I consider to be an accurate perspective on what is going on in many people’s minds, and thus captures the current pulse of ufology extremely well.
This is not a video that tried to convince you of anything. It is well edited, well documented and, overall, leaves you thinking. As you can tell, I like it!
Don’t be put off by the title! This great movie covers much more than just “high strangeness’ in New Mexico.
Sure, it covers the Roswell incident, and Socorro, the waves of UFOs overflying large towns in broad daylight during the 1950s and many other unexplained phenomena, but utilizing interviews, etc., it also explores what’s going on in people’s heads about it all — which extends the boundaries well beyond New Mexico!
I like the fact that the producers gave time to people who were mildly skeptical, as well as time to people directly involved with each case. The video gives what I consider to be an accurate perspective on what is going on in many people’s minds, and thus captures the current pulse of ufology extremely well.
This is not a video that tried to convince you of anything. It is well edited, well documented and, overall, leaves you thinking. As you can tell, I like it!
Talent in Motion Magazine (NYC)
Here’s what reviewer Elizabeth Rose of Talent in Motion magazine had to say about High Strange New Mexico after seeing it at the 1997 New York International Independent Film Festival.
Le Bar Bat is fine for parties, but not so fine for screenings…Although the mood of the room was contingent on the reverberating acoustics of the room, the intelligent and well-produced documentary made up for whatever discomforts we had suffered in Le Bar Bat’s physical plant.
High Strange New Mexico is a fascinating documentary that interviews people in New Mexico about their many experiences with UFOs.
The filmmakers have created a documentary which presents the audience with a great variety of witnesses, self-proclaimed experts, several spiritualists (including a Native American man who feels that aliens are giving us a loving message about saving the earth) and a woman (a Ph.D) abductee who has gone public about her experiences with alien contact.
James Lujan and Tony DellaFlora, the two credited filmmakers, approach their contentious subject with integrity and without bias or sentimentality, thus allowing their audience to draw its own conclusions.
Filmmakers Oliver Stone and Spike Lee could learn from these two guys. Just present the material and let it speak for itself.
Le Bar Bat is fine for parties, but not so fine for screenings…Although the mood of the room was contingent on the reverberating acoustics of the room, the intelligent and well-produced documentary made up for whatever discomforts we had suffered in Le Bar Bat’s physical plant.
High Strange New Mexico is a fascinating documentary that interviews people in New Mexico about their many experiences with UFOs.
The filmmakers have created a documentary which presents the audience with a great variety of witnesses, self-proclaimed experts, several spiritualists (including a Native American man who feels that aliens are giving us a loving message about saving the earth) and a woman (a Ph.D) abductee who has gone public about her experiences with alien contact.
James Lujan and Tony DellaFlora, the two credited filmmakers, approach their contentious subject with integrity and without bias or sentimentality, thus allowing their audience to draw its own conclusions.
Filmmakers Oliver Stone and Spike Lee could learn from these two guys. Just present the material and let it speak for itself.
La Mirada Magazine
Here’s what Debby Stark of La Mirada magazine said about High Strange New Mexico
Having heard about so many odd things happening in New Mexico, journalist Anthony DellaFlora decided to write a book about it. His friend, movie director James Lujan, agreed to help him make a “five minute” promotional film for the yet-to-be-written book, so they took to the road with their hand-held Hi8 video camera to gather material.
Some 18 months later…they had enough material for several films and we saw a tightly edited, compelling compilation, two hours of it, on the evening of March 28 (1997).
The duo started out in a manner they admitted they hoped would be reminiscent of cheesy UFO expose films. After showing a slapstick version of how they got ready, they hit the high spots of UFO New Mexico: Roswell, Dulce and Socorro. There was an air of “we’ve seen this before” about this part of the film, but it was still fun and I learned some new things. They visited the UFO festival in Roswell and the costumes the children wore were charming. The woman from the Chamber of Commerce was frankly honest about why the city was promoting its past: (More)
Having heard about so many odd things happening in New Mexico, journalist Anthony DellaFlora decided to write a book about it. His friend, movie director James Lujan, agreed to help him make a “five minute” promotional film for the yet-to-be-written book, so they took to the road with their hand-held Hi8 video camera to gather material.
Some 18 months later…they had enough material for several films and we saw a tightly edited, compelling compilation, two hours of it, on the evening of March 28 (1997).
The duo started out in a manner they admitted they hoped would be reminiscent of cheesy UFO expose films. After showing a slapstick version of how they got ready, they hit the high spots of UFO New Mexico: Roswell, Dulce and Socorro. There was an air of “we’ve seen this before” about this part of the film, but it was still fun and I learned some new things. They visited the UFO festival in Roswell and the costumes the children wore were charming. The woman from the Chamber of Commerce was frankly honest about why the city was promoting its past: (More)
More praise for High Strange New Mexico
neu mejican (Internet blogger)
“…a great, well-researched documentary full of bat-shit insanity.”
Blinding Light Cinema, Vancouver, Canada
“Folklore, 21st century neuroses and commercial imperatives collide to create a truly unique culture. High Strange New Mexico presents this culture, its conflicts and its spirit through a smart and honest pop-cultural eye.”
Anonymous
Very refreshing to see a movie that doesn’t take a point of view, or grind an axe. I loved the movie and the sound track is great. I thought it was excellent. What a bunch of fascinating people you interviewed. I hope you do another one on this topic as there is such a dearth of quality videos on this subject.
Nameless
What I liked was that they didn’t pass judgment on anyone talking about alien phenomena — they let people speak for themselves. And they covered all the aspects of it — abductions, government, commercialism — a really complete overview.
“…a great, well-researched documentary full of bat-shit insanity.”
Blinding Light Cinema, Vancouver, Canada
“Folklore, 21st century neuroses and commercial imperatives collide to create a truly unique culture. High Strange New Mexico presents this culture, its conflicts and its spirit through a smart and honest pop-cultural eye.”
Anonymous
Very refreshing to see a movie that doesn’t take a point of view, or grind an axe. I loved the movie and the sound track is great. I thought it was excellent. What a bunch of fascinating people you interviewed. I hope you do another one on this topic as there is such a dearth of quality videos on this subject.
Nameless
What I liked was that they didn’t pass judgment on anyone talking about alien phenomena — they let people speak for themselves. And they covered all the aspects of it — abductions, government, commercialism — a really complete overview.