Oscar von Seth This is an exceptional film, offering moments of beauty, compassion and humanity which stays with you long after the credits roll. The photography is exquisite. The acting is flawless. All in all, this is a moving piece of work that ought to go down in history as one of the most magnificent films of all time.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU This is a film about Oglala Sioux in the Dakotas today one century or so after the end of the genocide and hardly fifty years after the end of total segregation and ten years or so after the final lawsuit giving all Indian reservations the compensations and « reparations » they were entitled to get after all the treacherous exploitation they have been the victims of. If there is any improvement since Wounded Knee, it is because American Indians have taken their own lives and their own future in their own hands and have decided to claim their heritage and a fair position in society as well as a fair and just independence and freedom on their reservations that are theirs and no one else's. Yet nothing is simple since Trump has managed to authorize the crossing of Indian land in Montana and the Dakotas for a pipeline that has no guarantee not to be a polluting hazard. The film is beautiful and at the same time very sad. Beautiful because of the human feelings these men feel and express for each other and one another. Beautiful because these young men want to stand tall, speak out and be what they dream to be and become. But beautiful too because on this rough road there are accidents and one has to accept one's lot and one's neighbor's lot because that neighbor is a brother of sorts, a brother in humanity and in ambition or dream. When a horse is wounded in a way or another he has to be shot out of misery. But human beings are supposed to cling to life and everyone is supposed to help the wounded man to survive and even live with his dream, even if this dream is now frustrated.This humanity is rare among human beings but it seems to be a rule among these Indians. And the sister and daughter, who is slightly handicapped is made as comfortable as possible and is protected against accidents that could happen in this life, accidents that could come along with harassment or even worse.It is true it is a world of men, and women are not very present in this environment. That's probably the shortcoming of the film because Indian women are essential in this renascence, this rebirth of a nation beyond its annihilation, because they can bring the traditions back, the theater, the dancing, and the music and then women and men are equal and have original contributions that are absolutely complementary. But since the film is centered on rodeo and horse training, it seems obvious women are not very present in this activity. Cowboys are boys and cowgirls have not been born yet. Next generation might change this.This film is a dramatized real story in which the main actors more or less live their own real lives as if they were true fiction, true to life and yet fictional by the dream invested in this true life.Dr. Jacques COULARDEAU

proud_luddite In a Lakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau) is recently recovering from brain damage due to a rodeo incident and finds it difficult to adjust to a safer lifestyle as he's not allowed to ride horses any more. Periodically, Brady visits a friend Lane (Lane Scott) in a care facility. Lane was also injured in a rodeo incident but much more severely than Brady.In the genre of "macho" films, "The Rider" is unique in a couple of ways. Firstly, the movie begins after the injuries rather than leading up to them as climactic moments. Secondly, rather than glorifying the sport of rodeo, it focuses on its aftermath after things go terribly wrong. Director/writer Chloé Zhao is courageous in taking this unconventional approach."The Rider" has a very serene quality to it aided by scenes that include beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Its subtle approach to the heartbreak of shattered dreams is slow-moving yet still effective. This film might have been dull but Zhao has a special touch to keep the viewer interested. She is well aided by Jandreau in the lead role, especially as Brady sees the reflection of his strong personality in a horse who is difficult to train. He also personifies the inner strength of the working poor.The film would have been richer if it addressed the issue of cruelty to animals used in rodeo. Despite this shortcoming, it is still a sweet, unconventional film.

A_Night_In_The_Life The Rider by Director Chloe Zhao. Is the tale of a young upincoming rodeo star Brady Blackburn. (Portrayed by real life inspiration of the film Brady Jandreau) who's career and basically purpose of being comes to a deviating halt. After suffering a horrible head injury. He tries to find new meaning of what life has in store for him. During the run of the film I couldn't help but to be reminded of other movies similar to the one I front of me. (The Wrestler was a big one) the trials of both Physical and mental the main character is faced with. The over whelming feeling of sympathy along with the underlying tale of battling with depression. All of which are familiar. What sticks this film out in both good and bad ways is the casting of non trained actors (it's all jandreau family members and friends playing themselves as far as I know ) a bit distracting at some point but also so real at others making powerful enough to feel the weight the main character is going through such as the case of Brady paraplegic friend. As for the film making aspect, I highly appreciated the use of natural lighting throughout the project. The use of the the sun in the background in some shots were very pleasing to the eye. The shots on site locations where amazing. One Particular scene comes to mind were there is a lightning storm in the background. And the bronco riding scenes were just captured in such a raw way. They demand your attention. Unfortunately, a big down fall by far goes to the audio. Some of the dialect you could barely hear compare to the booming audio dubbed of the sister lily. It really stands out which starts taking you out of the movie. If I could leave you with anything from this film I can say it not the crowd pleaser that I could see the usual movie goer to last through. But it's a story I was grateful to ride out to the end. I give it a 7 out of 10.