War Pony
classified 15Please note: This was screened in June 2023
"A raw authenticity rarely found in film" ★★★★ - Time Out
Stunning, tender and utterly compelling, War Pony tells the interlocking stories of two Oglala Lakota men coming of age on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
At 23, Bill (Jojo Bapteise Whiting) just wants to make something of himself. Whether it’s syphoning gas, delivering goods or breeding Poodles, he is determined to make his life the American Dream. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho (LaDainian Crazy Thunder) can’t wait to become a man. Desperate for approval from his young, unavailable father, a series of destructive decisions turns Matho’s life upside down and he finds himself unequipped to deal with the harsh realities of the adult world.
A powerful tale of life, hope and belonging on the Reservation, War Pony features spellbinding performances from first-time actors Jojo Bapteise Whiting and LaDainian Crazy Thunder, created over a period of several years in collaboration with members of the Pine Ridge Reservation.