Film Screening to Support Equine Rescue and Highlight Wild Horse Endangerment

Attend 'American Mustang' Screening for Equine RescueAttend 'American Mustang' Screening for Equine Rescue

Enduring from the time when America was new to the paved streets of today are animals noted for their strength and majesty – horses.

Since 2006, Equine Rescue of Aiken has cared for “race horses, show horses, event horses, trail horses, draft horses, polo ponies, saddlebreds, barrel racers, broodmares, foals, miniature horses, miniature donkeys and ‘backyard pets,’” according to the organization’s website. These animals have “suffered abuse, neglect and abandonment,” the website states.

Special Screening of 'American Mustang'

On Aug. 27, a special screening of the Just Media film “American Mustang,” which was released last November, will be shown at GTC Masters Cinemas 7, 2824 Washington Road in Augusta. Tickets to see this 3-D film are $12. Proceeds will go to Equine Rescue of Aiken.

“Through the (crowd-sourcing website) Tugg, we have reached out to theaters across the country,” said Ellie Phipps Price, the film’s co-writer and executive producer.

“American Mustang” puts documentary footage shot in eight locations across the Western United States against a story about a young girl with a love of horses.

Ellie Phipps Price's Journey

Price has loved horses since an early age. “I would draw pictures of horses,” she recalled. In July 2010, she heard of an auction in Nevada for more than 170 wild horses. The main buyers were from slaughterhouses, Price said. That day, with the help of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue and Madeleine Pickens, Price rescued almost all of those horses. She then created a sanctuary for them.

“The Bureau of Land Management has rounded up and removed thousands more wild horses each year than can be adopted, resulting in the stockpiling of more horses in holding facilities than are left free on the range. The pressure to open these holding facilities to sale for slaughter is increasing,” the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) website states.

Having worked with horses for most of her life, Price has developed a deep appreciation for them. “They are a national treasure,” she said. “They helped build our country and represent the values of freedom.”

Film Cast and Crew

“American Mustang” stars brothers Luke and Jim Neubert, Julia Putnam, Alison Eastwood and Daryl Hannah as the narrator. The Neuberts’ father is celebrated horseman and clinician Bryan Neubert. Putnam, of Conyers, Georgia, has appeared on-screen with actors like Jerry O’Connell and Olivia Wilde. Eastwood, daughter of famed actor and director Clint Eastwood, has acted, directed and owns her own fashion line. Hannah is an environmentalist noted for roles such as Annelle Dupuy Desoto in 1989’s “Steel Magnolias.”

Monty Miranda, known for his “keen eye for visuals,” directed the film. Henry Ansbacher is a co-writer and the film’s producer. He is also the founder of Just Media.

“American Mustang” is a family-friendly film, Price said. “(With the 3-D), we wanted to create an emotional connection between the audience and the horses,” Price said. “They are very beautiful creatures.”

Originally Posted By Aiken Standard

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