War Pony in theaters: What major prize did this beautiful film win at Cannes?

War Pony in theaters: What major prize did this beautiful film win at Cannes?

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Two young men from the Oglala Lakota tribe live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. 23-year-old Bill is trying to get his way at any cost. Matos, 12 years old, wants to become a man. Bound by their hostile society, they try to make their own way to adulthood.

ᲞῦᲡᲕᲕᲚᲦ ᲪᲪᲚᲝᲑᲦ…

In 2022, the shadow of Elvis Presley loomed over the Cannes Film Festival in more ways than one. Thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s lavish biography dedicated to him, which was presented without competition. And in the Un Certain Regard section, where the King’s grandson, actor Riley Keogh (Mad Max: Fury Road, Under the Silver Lake or Daisy Jones and the Six series recently), presented his first work, which he signed with Gina Gammell.

“A wonderful contender for the Camera d’Or (a prize awarded to the best first feature film, all categories combined)… and for the Palme d’Or, which honors the best dog seen in a film”We wrote off the Croisette last May, leaving the War Pony.

And obviously, without trying to throw flowers at us, we were right, because this drama won both trophies on the basis of an instructive story.

The young heroes of the war ponies

Filmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (South Dakota), War Pony sometimes recalls Chloe Zhao’s Rider (filmed in the same region), the Reservation Dogs series, or Andrea Arnold’s American Honey starring Riley Q. themes or his desire to show an America that is too often overlooked.

The terrain may seem familiar to some viewers, while the lengths and dramatic springs that are a little overdone show room for improvement for the two directors.

which also show great skill in directing and staging actors (mostly non-professionals) that sometimes evoke dreams in the midst of gross realism.

… master stroke?

These are all qualities that seduced the jury of the Camera d’Or headed by Rossi de Palma in 2022. Created in 1978 by Gilles Jacobs for his first edition as General Delegate, this prize is awarded to the best first film in all categories. The aim of the festival is to encourage young artists with promising talent. And offer them a good launch pad.

In 1984, it was a certain Jim Jarmusch who got it, thanks to Stranger Than Paradise presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (which this year became the Quinzaine des Cinéastes). Looking back at his more on-camera roles, John Turturro also won it thanks to Mack in 1992, a year after Burton Fink’s triumph, which earned him the Best Actor award.

With seven crowns each, France and the United States are today the most awarded Camera d’Or, with winners most often coming from Quinzaine des Cinéastes and Un Certain Regard (sixteen feature films from each section). But never out of competition, although open to first-time films (such as Banelli and Adam this year), it is too often composed of experienced directors.

Riley Keogh and Gina Gamell in Cannes

Many Cannes filmmakers (also known as “regular”) though there are former Golden Camera winners. And this prize often opens their doors to competition, such as Naomi Kawase (crowned in 1997 ten years after receiving the Grand Prix), Jafar Panahi (awarded Le Ballon blanc in 1995), Ildiko Enyed (contending for the Palme title). 2021 with My Wife’s Story) or even Tran Hung, one of the contenders for this upcoming edition.

Leonor Serail (young woman) and Lucas Dont (girl), awarded in 2017 and 2018 respectively, and who faced each other in the competition last year, where the latter left the Grand Prix.

Thanks to 2008 Camera d’Or winner Hunger, Steve McQueen will be there this year, but his Occupy City is not expected. “this” in special sessions.

More than the attention of the work and its author, therefore the Golden Camera is an important prize that can change the career of the filmmaker, who then risks to request many festivals.

So don’t be surprised if Riley Keogh and Gina Gamell get people talking about them again in the years to come, even going so far as to be invited to the Cannes Film Festival. Especially if War Pony’s promises are fulfilled.

Source: Allocine

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