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Rez Ball

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Rez Ball
Release poster
Directed bySydney Freeland
Screenplay by
Based onCanyon Dreams
by Michael Powell
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyKira Kelly
Edited byJessica Baclesse
Music byDan Deacon
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • September 8, 2024 (2024-09-08) (TIFF)
  • September 27, 2024 (2024-09-27) (United States)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Rez Ball is a 2024 American sports drama film directed by Sydney Freeland, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sterlin Harjo, based on the nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation, by The New York Times journalist Michael Powell. LeBron James served as one of the producers. The film features an ensemble cast, including Kauchani Bratt, Jessica Matten, Julia Jones, Amber Midthunder, and Kiowa Gordon.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and was released on Netflix on September 27, 2024.

Synopsis

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The Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico, are competing for the state championship title but lose their star player.[1][2]

Cast

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  • Kauchani Bratt as Jimmy Holiday
  • Jessica Matten as Heather Hobbs
  • Julia Jones as Gloria Holiday
  • Amber Midthunder as Dezbah Weaver
  • Kiowa Gordon as Antonio Freeman
  • Dallas Goldtooth as Henry Tso
  • Cody Lightning as Micah Tso
  • Ernest Tsosie III as Benny Begay
  • Devin Sampson-Craig as Bryson Badonie
  • River Rayne Thomas as Tyson Yazzie
  • Jojo Jackson as Warlance Yazzie
  • Avery Hale as Miles Martinez
  • Hunter Redhorse Arthur as Kobe Nez
  • Henry Wilson Jr as Leland Tom
  • Jaren K. Robledo as Levi Silversmith
  • Damian Henry Castellane as Ruckus Largo
  • Kusem Goodwind as Nataanii Jackson
  • Zoey Reyes as Krista
  • Sam Griesel as Mason Troy

Production

[edit]

Sydney Freeland was announced as director of the project for Netflix in August 2021. Freeland and Sterlin Harjo had written the script inspired by Michael Powell's nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams (2019). The project was produced by Wise Entertainment with Maurício and Katie Mota involved.[3] That same month LeBron James and Maverick Carter were announced to have joined the project as producers via The SpringHill Company with Spencer Beighley and Jamal Henderson executive producers for SpringHill.[4]

Filming

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In April 2023, Deadline Hollywood reported that principal photography was underway and taking place in New Mexico with filming on the Navajo Nation, with the permission and support of the local sovereign tribal nations.[5]

Release

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Rez Ball premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024,[6][7] and was released on Netflix on September 27, 2024.[8]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 32 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10. The website's consensus reads: "Putting an Indigenous spin on the classic sports movie formula, Rez Ball dominates the court with its authentic feel for culture and setting."[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Easterling, Mike. "Film based on book about high school hoops on Navajo Nation will be shot in New Mexico". Farmington Daily Times. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  2. ^ DiLillo, John (April 17, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Rez Ball'". Netflix.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Jackson, Angelique (August 5, 2021). "Sydney Freeland to Direct Native American Basketball Film 'Rez Ball' for Netflix". Variety. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Galuppo, Mia (August 5, 2021). "LeBron James to Produce Netflix Native American Basketball Feature 'Rez Ball' Sydney Freeland will direct from a script she wrote with 'Reservation Dogs' creator Sterlin Harjo". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 17, 2023). "Rez Ball': Netflix Sets Jessica Matten, Julia Jones, Amber Midthunder, Kiowa Gordon & More For Sydney Freeland's Native American Basketball Underdog Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "Rez Ball". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Kay, Jeremy (June 18, 2024). "Toronto film festival world premieres to include 'Nightbitch', Elton John doc, 'The Wild Robot'". Screen Daily. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  8. ^ Nash, Anthony (August 6, 2024). "Rez Ball Trailer Previews Netflix Basketball Drama Movie". ComingSoon. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Rez Ball". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Rez Ball". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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