Childhood make-believe leads to role in Cannes film for Smithfield actor

By Arie Kirk

March 30, 2007 | SMITHFIELD -- As a young boy, Matt Sorensen would pretend to be a cowboy -- toting a toy gun and riding stick horses. That childhood game became reality last summer when he was cast to play a cowboy in the independent film, The Hayfield.

"It was a great experience to be involved, to meet the other people involved in making it come together and come to life," Sorensen said. "I grew up with a love of the West's history and cowboys. I still get to play, but now I get to carry a real gun and ride big horses."

The Hayfield, which will be shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival, is based on an historic 1867 battle. It follows the story of two brothers who fought against Sioux and Cheyenne Indians during the Hayfield Fight on the Bozeman Trail in Montana.

In the late 1860s, a group of civilians was contracted to harvest grass hay for military horses. Nearly 1,000 Indians carried out a series of small attacks on the civilian and military establishments in efforts to prevent cutting of the grass, Sorensen said.

A group of more than 30 people withstood the raids for six hours after which the Indians retreated. Sorensen said the Hayfield Fight ended with one civilian and two militia casualties. Eight Indians were killed and 30 wounded.

"There was no winner and it is portrayed that way in the movie. It is just about a little known story. It shows the point of view from the Indians side. It brings up the point from the military and civilian side and that what we were doing to the Indians was awful," Sorensen said.

The 35-year-old Smithfield resident works full time for Spiricon Inc. in Logan making censor arrays for cameras.

On the side, he performs historical re-enactments at the American West Heritage Center. It was during a reenactment of the Pony Express that the opportunity to be involved in the creation of The Hayfield was presented. Audience members approached him afterward and told him of the movie. Initially, Sorensen had signed up to be an extra. At the time, the director was still casting roles so he read for a speaking part. When he didnt get one, they asked him to choreograph and perform stunts. Sorensen also helped collect props and set up scenes.

The Hayfield was filmed in many locations across the country. The majority, however, was filmed near Malad, Idaho.

During the filming, Sorensen camped on site.

"We lived on site which was quite remote, about 25 miles from Malad City. We basically lived right there on set. It was like stepping back in time," he said.

Sorensen said he learned a lot about making a movie. He said he was surprised to see the director split scenes into different takes, filming only two or three minutes at a time. In the end, he said there were more than 30 hours of film.

Scenes were finished in two or three takes, some of which were very dangerous. Many believed filming was successful and completed safely as a result of people "from the other side" wanting their story to be known, Sorensen said.

"Some felt it went as smoothly as it did because people that lived this experience wanted it to be told. Thats the feeling we got from some of it," he said.

Aside from the opportunity to play a real cowboy, Sorensen said he made enduring friendships.

"I met a lot of different people from across the country that came out here to make this movie. After working with them to make the movie, I feel a strong connection and friendship with them that will last a lifetime." he said. "We all have a connection that is much bigger than this movie will be."

He also said he was grateful for the knowledge he gained during the filming of The Hayfield. Sorensen said he hopes others will also learn about the battle and the history of the West.

"Being involved in this movie and in the activities at the American West Heritage Center have given me a greater knowledge and a better appreciation for the people that lived so long ago who helped build this country and this area to what it is today," he said. "I have been lucky to have been able to really live the experience of the West in the 1800s, even if it has only been for days at a time. I love bringing to life, so to speak, the history of the West through the American West Heritage Center and The Hayfield movie to educate people what it was like so long ago."

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