Frybread Face and Me explained

Director:	Billy Luther
Producer:	Chad Burris
Music:	Ryan Beveridge
Cinematography:	Peter Simonite
Editing:	Fred Koschmann
Distributor:	ARRAY
Runtime:	82 minutes^[1]
Country:	United States
Language:	English

Frybread Face and Me is a 2023 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Billy Luther. It stars Keir Tallman, Charley Hogan, Sarah H. Natani, Martin Sensmeier, and Kahara Hodges. Taika Waititi serves as an executive producer.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023 and was released on November 24, 2023 in limited theaters by ARRAY and on Netflix.

Premise

A young boy from San Diego is sent to spend the summer with his Navajo grandmother on the reservation in Arizona, where he meets and connects with his cousin.

Production

In June 2021, it was announced Morningstar Angeline and Martin Sensmeier had joined the cast of the film, with Billy Luther directing from a screenplay he wrote, with Taika Waititi executive producing.^[2] In September 2021, it was announced Keir Tallman, Sarah H. Natani, Kahara Hodges, Charley Hogan, and Jeremiah Bitsui had joined the cast of the film.^[3]

Principal photography took place in New Mexico.^{[4] [5]}

Release

Frybread Face and Me had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023.^{[6] [7]} It screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in the Discovery section on September 11, 2023.^{[8] [9]} In November 2023, ARRAY acquired distribution rights to the film in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. On November 24, 2023 the film received a limited theatrical release, alongside a Netflix release.^[10]

Reception

Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "What Frybread Face and Me lacks in drama, it makes up for in a boundless affection for its characters and an appreciation for the everyday details of their lives."^[11] Lisa Kennedy of Variety wrote: "Watching this family interact is a reminder how rare it is to see so many American indigenous actors in a space, weaving the unique and universal into stories that expand our storehouse of their experience."^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: November 23, 2023. Frybread Face And Me (15) . November 23, 2023 . British Board of Film Classification.
2. Web site: Taika Waititi EP'd 'Frybread Face & Me' Casts MorningStar Angeline & Martin Sensmeier; Billy Luther Directing & Penning Film. Deadline Hollywood. Dominic. Patten. June 22, 2021. November 4, 2023.
3. Web site: Taika Waititi-EP'd 'Frybread Face & Me' Sees Macro, River Road, REI Co-op Studios & Fit Via Vi Join Billy Luther-Directed Feature. Deadline Hollywood. Dominic. Patten. September 21, 2021. November 4, 2023.
4. Dominic Patten, "'Frybread Face & Me' Director Billy Luther & EP Taika Waititi On SXSW Debut, Original Stories, 'Star Wars,' Savvy Audiences, & Expanding Horizons". Deadline Hollywood, March 11, 2023.
5. Web site: 'Frybread Face & Me' wraps up New Mexico filming. Navajo-Hopi Observer. Bernie. Dotson. September 21, 2021. November 4, 2023.
6. Web site: SXSW Lineup Includes 'Dungeons & Dragons' On Opening Night, 'Evil Dead Rise', Eva Longoria's 'Flamin' Hot', A24's 'Problemista' & More. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. January 11, 2023. November 4, 2023.
7. Web site: Frybread Face and Me. South by Southwest. November 4, 2023.
8. Web site: John . Hazelton . TIFF Discovery and Midnight Madness line-ups revealed . . August 3, 2022.
9. Web site: Frybread Face and Me. Toronto International Film Festival. November 4, 2023.
10. Web site: Array Acquires 'Frybread Face and Me,' Sets Limited Theatrical Run and Netflix Debut (Exclusive). Variety. Jazz. Tangcay. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023.
11. Web site: Angie . Han . 'Frybread Face and Me' Review: A Tender Tale of Cousins, Coming of Age and Life on the Reservation . . March 11, 2023.
12. Web site: Lisa . Kennedy . 'Frybread Face and Me' Review: Indigenous Filmmaker Billy Luther's Achy, Amusing Tale of Exile and Discovery . . March 24, 2023.