A River of Skulls

A River of Skulls, written, directed, and produced by Suza Lambert Bowser and Sheep Ranch Productions, is a dramatic story set during the California Gold Rush. The film focuses on two young people, who are cast adrift from two distinctly different social worlds. Eula Jane Seeley, a young white woman, and Jack Rivers—or Joaquin Rivera—a half-Mexican, half-Native American man, both struggle in a time defined by hard scrabble mining camps, towns built overnight with sudden wealth, bustling hotels, banks, and brothels, and the intense dynamics of racial assimilation.

Eula Jane Seeley (Kelly Nixon) the oldest daughter in a family recently rocked by her mother’s death in childbirth, faces the sad reality of her father’s emotional disintegration. Forced to work under the ever-watchful (and ever scornful) eyes of Mabel Flescher, played beautifully by Sheila Doyle, she earns a small income to support her younger sister and brother.

Jack Rivers (Joaquin River), reeling from the racially motivated murder of his grandfather, Liwanu, finds himself captured by Eula’s beauty and resilience. Separated by the social barricades of the times, Jack and Eula are unable to express their feelings for one another. At the same time, the arrival of the newly rich Percy Willloughby (Erik Rhea), complicates the situation when he beguiles Eula with false hopes of marriage.

A parallel plot strand involves the beautiful but bitter Betsy Beaumont (Kristina Van Cleave) and her rascally, unapologetic rake of a husband, Carson Beaumont (Bruce Cole). Their lives interweave with Eula and Jack after Mabel Flescher (Betsy’s sister) engineers a cruel trick that propels Eula into a downward spiral.

Shot on locations that include the historical landscapes of Sheep Ranch, Columbia, and Murphys, A River of Skulls features the breathtaking cinematography of Matt St. Charles (Director of Photography), the intelligent discernment of Malcolm DeSoto (Second Camera), the creative talents of Joshua D. Nelson (Assistant Director) and the directing skills of Bruce Cole (Fight Director).

A River of Skulls is a unique project, an independent feature length film that explores the far-reaching consequences and interconnections of sexism, racism, class, and social upheaval. By screening A River of Skulls in Calaveras County, the director, Suza Lambert Bowser, wishes to express her deepest gratitude to the fine folks of the Gold Country, without whose help, the vision for the film would never have become a reality.