Rio Arriba Rising

A film featuring testimonials from Española Valley former addicts, now in recovery. The film is intended to give hope and inspiration to those suffering from Opioid addiction. Commissioned by the Rio Arriba County Health and Human Services Department. Producers: Harry Gantz, Diego Lopez, and Dr. Ahmed Dadzie.

        

            

Harry Gantz has spent a lifetime filming the most personal, heart felt stories of thousands and thousands of people from all walks of life. Harry, along with his brother Joe, created and produced the groundbreaking, Emmy-winning HBO documentary series, Taxicab Confessions, which aired for 20 years on HBO. They produced the CBS Drama The Defenders, a courtroom drama that focused on defendant’s point of view, rather than most legal dramas, which focus on the prosecution.  Harry and his brother produced American Winter, an HBO documentary about middle class families falling into poverty during the Great Recession. Three of the families featured in the film testified at a US Senate hearing on the decline of the middle class, at the invitation of Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Jeff Merkley. Harry is currently directing American Hate, a feature length documentary film that tells the stories of hate crimes victims, and their surviving families.

Diego López is a community leader, artist and a filmmaker with a unique and authentic style.  López is a Chicano from northern New Mexico, son of renowned artists Benjamín J. López and Irene López.  López is currently Executive Director of a non-profit organization, Hands Across Cultures, which believes “La Cultura Cura”. Lopez is a firm believer in team collaboration.  He partners closely with RAC STOP and is a long time member of the Joint Task Force.  Diego López is the 100% Rio Arriba Initiative team leader and the President of the 100% Rio Arriba Community Health Council.  With his team, he helps to spearhead creative prevention, art and film projects across northern New Mexico. “In order to grow and continue the healing of our communities from the long-endured trauma and suffering,  López also was Executive Producer on “The Way We Carry Water” which was selected for the 2025 Santa Fe International Film Festival.  In 2007, López completed his Master’s in Screenwriting from the College of Santa Fe and his Bachelor’s of Arts with a focus in Media Arts from the University of New Mexico in 2001.  He has showcased his work nationally in festivals, museums, galleries and collaborative exhibitions.  López has been privileged to participate in several community and professional murals, as well as, creative shows, most recently “Española Leadership Lowrider Bike Club Showcase” at the Nuevo Mexicano Museum in Santa Fe, NM.  He is a featured artist in cultural CALAVERA Exhibition.   He has won Best Narrative Short Film at the Santa Fe Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature Film at the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience and an Addy Award for his writing and directing.   López brings an enthusiastic and culturally skilled background to his work, and has established rapport and respect in the communities he serves.

Dr. Ahmed Dadzie believes that implementing effective health policies and programs can be a tool in amplifying local agency and advance social justice in underprivileged communities. He specializes in using his multidisciplinary background (in communication, criminal justice, public administration) to collaborate and raise awareness on issues relating to social justice and accessibility in underprivileged societies. Before becoming the director of Health and Human services, Dr. Dadzie worked in multiple roles such as: assistant professor, government contractor, grant writer, researcher, technical writer, and project coordinator for both state and private sectors. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Master’s in Communication & National Security, and background in Criminal Justice & Public Administration. Dr. Dadzie also holds a PhD from New Mexico State University. Dr. Dadzie’s free time is mostly spent on exploring ways/strategies to collaborate with local community stakeholders in addressing various health related challenges.