Explore the untold story of the Acid Western—a countercultural film genre that challenged the mythic narratives of the American West while redefining power, gender, and class in the shadows of Hollywood. Rooted in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this documentary uncovers the pioneering legacy of Orville “Bud” Wanzer, a visionary filmmaker who laid the groundwork for subversive, low-budget filmmaking. Through archival discoveries, community stories, and a deep dive into cinematic history, Birth of the Acid Western offers a bold reimagining of the American Western and its cultural impact.

This is more than a film; it’s a tribute to an outsider’s vision and a celebration of the creativity born from local voices, reshaping history from the margins. Join us in completing this vital project and shining a light on Las Cruces as the true birthplace of the Acid Western.

Follow director Julia Smith’s film production journey on social media.

THE STORY
In the early 1960s, Orville Wanzer — an English professor with no Hollywood ties -made something unheard of: a fully independent horror Western, shot on 16mm with a small cast of locals in Las Cruces, NM.

The Devil’s Mistress wasn’t just a “B-movie.” This is more than a portrait of a filmmaker - it’s the resurrection of a lost chapter in American cinema with New Mexico at its heart. It foreshadowed the “trippy” Westerns of the 1970s like Easy Rider and El Topo— films that broke from Hollywood production and redefined American filmmaking. But like so much regional and outsider film history, Wanzer’s work vanished after a brief theatrical run. Until now.
This is more than a portrait of a filmmaker - it’s the resurrection of a lost chapter in American cinema with New Mexico at its heart.

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
We’re in POST-PRODUCTION with Dead-Eye Post — a New Mexico-based studio. Your support will fund:
• Final editing & assembly
• Color grading & correction
• Sound design & mixing
• Motion graphics & titles
• Professional mastering
• Final screener delivery
Every dollar gets us closer to the premiere.

THE FILM WE’RE MAKING
Six years of work, one buried story revived.
• Digging through NMSU’s Rio Grande Historical Collections
• Preserving rare reels & original materials
• Recording in-depth interviews with family, students, colleagues, and New Mexico authors on film history