Private Project

Deadly Sanctuary

Feisty, flame-haired reporter, Kendall O'Dell is drawn into an evil web of conspiracy beyond anything she could have ever imagined when she accepts a position at a small newspaper in isolated Castle Valley, Arizona. In the mix is a vanished reporter, two dead teenage girls and an attractive cowboy. Kendall's life hangs in the balance as she strives to uncover the horrifying secret.

  • Nancy Criss
    Director
    A Horse for Summer, The Sparrows Nesting, A Heart Runs Free, Fishes 'N Loaves Heaven Sent
  • Sylvia Nobel
    Writer
  • Bower Yousse
    Writer
  • Nancy Criss
    Producer
    A Horse for Summer, The Sparrows Nesting, A Heart Runs Free, Fishes 'N Loaves Heaven Sent
  • Sylvia Nobel
    Producer
  • Harvey Lowry
    Producer
    The Sparrows Nesting, The Last Story of David Allan, Defenders
  • Dean Cain
    Key Cast
  • Daniel Baldwin
    Key Cast
  • Eric Roberts
    Key Cast
  • Rebekah Kochan
    Key Cast
  • Marco Dapper
    Key Cast
  • Paul Greene
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 41 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 23, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    550,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • MayDay Film Festival
    Evansville IN
    May 16, 2015
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Nancy Criss

Nancy Criss is NANDAR's Co-Founder and President. She is a woman of many talents; all emanating from entrepreneurial spirit that energizes her ability to create opportunities from success in everything that she does. This belief in her first became evident when, at age 11, she won a regional championship in western horsemanship. Her love of horses and involvement in rodeo and ranching continues to this day. By the age of 13 Nancy begun her career in show business, with a role in the TV series, "Petrocelli," followed by a recurring roles in the Paramount series, "Webster." Before long she was appearing in variety of TV and feature films, commercials and stage plays.

During high school and college Nancy continued her theatrical and equestrian activities and, at one point, considered going into criminal law as a career, but opted for marriage and family instead. Before long her instincts for business led into an opportunity to grow a local mailing services company into a firm earning more than a million dollars a year. That success gave her the impetus to create a new international delivery services company (Global Services of Arizona). When that firm reached $1.6 million in annual sales she sold it to invest in and devote her full time to the creation and management of the Nandar Entertainment Group.

Off and on, over the years, as an actress, Nancy also continued to participate in rodeo events. She was also developed a serious interest in the production side of the entertainment business. She decided to test her management skills by producing a feature film, "True Legends of the West." Since then Ms. Criss has gone on to direct and produce numerous award winning films from scifi, thriller, mystery and her latest faith based film, A Horse for Summer which currently won the Audience Choice Award in Georgia and has three nominations in the upcoming Action on Film Festival in Monrovia, CA.

Even with all the challenges and long hours necessitated by filmmaking in an ever increasing competitive marketplace, Nancy still finds time to enjoy competing in the Professional Women's Rodeo Association, riding and roping and raising her daughter, Nicole, almost 15, who is already riding horses and cavorting in front of the camera and winning her own awards.

Actress, horsewoman, entrepreneur, producer, mother; a new breed of entertainment executive. Leadership built on understanding relationships and the laws of success.
Written By: Andy Ettinger

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Sometimes, when you start a project, you can't imagine the journey that you will take, that was Deadly Sanctuary.

When I was approached by Sylvia Noble to turn her novel, Deadly Sanctuary into a movie, I was elated because the novel was based on different true events in Arizona history. That started the journey of the movie and it seemed to just come together on its own from locations to cast it just kept falling into place for us.

I have directed and produced a lot of films but this was by far one of the most fun sets I have worked on. The cast and crew were all great and of course anytime I can work with Dean Cain is a pleasure. This is my first time working with Daniel Baldwin and I would work with him again in a heartbeat. He was such a joker onset and a joy to work with.

My hat goes off to all the cast and especially Rebekah Kochan, Teri Lee, Bobbi Jeen Olson, Terri Minton, Marco Dapper and Paul Greene, who really took the time to break their characters down and bring great performances to the film.

This film was truly a team effort from everyone involved it seemed to take a life of its own. One of the biggest rewards for me was to see the joy Sylvia Nobel showed as her characters came to life for all her readers. Nancy Criss