By Alexandria Dobson
The smell of popcorn and the excitement of buying a ticket to a movie you’ve never seen is a core childhood memory for just about everyone, but for Echoes of Wide Ruins director and producer Daniel Smith, it is a little more than just nostalgia.
Daniel was 15 years old when he got his first job at the movie theatre in Safford, Arizona. Little did he know that 16 years later, he would be showing his very own film at that same hometown theatre.
On May 15, Daniel’s film Echoes of Wide Ruins premiered on the big screen for an exclusive hometown screening. Of the experience, he said:
“Bringing my film to the Gila Valley was a real full-circle moment for me. This community raised me, and everyone in the audience knew that I’ve always wanted to make movies. Getting to deliver something I’m truly proud of was a bucket list moment — something every small-town kid hopes for. The premiere was held at the same movie theatre where I had my very first job at 15. To debut the film there made the entire experience feel beautifully surreal.”
Echoes of Wide Ruins is a documentary that tells the powerful true story of John Rieffer, a trusted trader who lived and worked at the Wide Ruins Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona. More than a businessman, John became a vital part of the community—learning the Navajo language, counseling families, and building lifelong relationships that transcended commerce. In the 1970s, John’s life was shattered when the IRS wrongly accused him of income tax fraud. Despite a grueling four-year legal battle and eventual acquittal, the relentless stress ultimately cost him his life. His family and the Wide Ruins community were left to grapple with the scars of injustice. Echoes of Wide Ruins is a story of resilience, community, cultural respect, and the relentless pursuit of truth. The documentary uses rare Super 8 footage shot by John himself, intimate family interviews, historic photographs, court documents, and archival material to authentically capture both a family legacy and a vital piece of American and Native history.
One of the audience members said of his documentary, “It was truly moving. Daniel’s talent is unparalleled; his storytelling had me both laughing and deeply moved to tears. As I walked out of the theater, I found myself with a newfound appreciation for my own life and a desire to be a better person. I can only hope the world gets the opportunity to experience what I just witnessed.”
Now in the critical final stages of post-production, Daniel is seeking your support to help complete the project. Funds raised will directly cover licensing archival footage and media rights, music licensing and original score, festival submissions and outreach to bring this story to a wider audience. Your contribution helps preserve not just one family’s history, but the history of the Wide Ruins Trading Post and the Navajo people John Rieffer served and loved. Together, we can honor their stories and ensure they are never forgotten. To learn more, visit www.wideruinsdoc.com, follow @wideruinsdoc on Instagram or donate to the cause, at https://www.gofundme.com/f/echoes-of-wide-ruins-documentary-xf6dh
