After making the festival circuit over the past calendar year, including a world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, Riley Keough & Gina Gammell‘s feature debut “War Pony” finally eyes a US theatrical release. No word yet on when that happens, but Momentum Pictures picked up the film’s US distribution rights at SXSW 2023 in March. So expect an official stateside release date soon.
READ MORE: Gina Gammell & Riley Keough’s ‘War Pony’ Is Admirable But Overstuffed [Cannes]
Until then, here’s the UK trailer for “War Pony” to tide audiences over. Keough and Gammell’s debut centers on two young Lakota men growing up on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Here’s an official synopsis for the film:
At 23, Bill just wants to make something of himself. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho can’t wait to become a man. Bound by their shared search for belonging, each of the boys grapple with identity, family, and loss, as they navigate their unique paths to manhood.
“War Pony” stars Jojo Bapteise Whiting as Bill and Ladainian Crazy Thunder as Matho. The film also stars Jesse Schmockel, Sprague Hollander, Wilma Colhof, Iona Red Bear, and Woodrow Lone Elk. Ta-Yammi Long Black Cat, Jeremy Corbin Cottier, and Ashley Shelton round out the main cast.
Keough and Gammell co-write the film’s script with Franklin Sioux Bob and Bill Reddy. “War Pony” won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes last, the festival’s award for the best first feature film.
Despite its Cannes win, The Playlist’s review of “War Pony” found the film admirable but slightly messy and overstuffed (read the review here). Soon enough, US audiences will get to see and judge the movie themselves. UK audiences, meanwhile, get their chance starting on June 9. Watch a trailer for “War Pony” below.
