If you like rural lifestyles, horses, and gritty women you want to root for, then you’ll want to see East of Wall. This Sundance award-winning film is opening in theaters everywhere on Friday, August 15th. I was able to watch a screener of the film and will share some of my no-spoiler thoughts today.
Welcome To The New West:
About East of Wall:
Distributed by: Sony Pictures /Directed by: Kate Beecroft/Produced by: Kate Beecroft, Shannon Moss, Lila Yacoub, Melanie Ramsayer/Run Time: 1h 37m /Genre: Drama/Rated: R for mature themes and language.
Film Synopsis from Sony Pictures:
“East of Wall is an authentic portrait of female resilience in the “New West,” inspired and played by the women and girls who live it. Set in the Badlands of South Dakota, Tabatha, a young rebellious rancher who rescues and resells horses, must make hard decisions to deal with her fractured family, the financial uncertainty of losing her ranch, and unresolved grief, all while providing refuge and the skills of the horse trade to a group of wayward neighborhood teens."
Courtesy:Sony Pictures
My Thoughts:
I was expecting this film to be a little heavy, given the subject matter. And it is heavy! Tabitha and her blended family are having a tough go of things at their ranch after the death of Tabitha’s husband, John.
There should be trigger warnings at the beginning of this film, so even though it is a bit of a spoiler, I will tell you it deals with guns and suicide that you may find unsettling. There’s also some serious language, arguing between Moms and daughters, drinking, smoking, and a rough lifestyle that is so authentic in its realness, it may be unnerving to some viewers.
I think this realness is masterfully portrayed by Mom and daughter duo Tabitha and Porshia Zimiga. I was surprised and delighted to learn that it is their first acting role. They were so completely believable. I also think a large part of this realness and familiarity was perfectly captured by director Kate Beecroft, who spent three years living with this rowdy family on their ranch. The ranch and surrounding land are beautiful, as are the horses!
Tabitha is a real-life horse whisperer. You can see her calmness win over the horses. It’s no wonder she attracts local teens to her ranch. She may be a gritty woman, but she has a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off her back. Her gentle spirit is felt by the horses just as much as the humans.
Courtesy:Sony Pictures
Official Trailer:
Here’s the link to watch East of Wall’s official trailer. You can also find local theaters and showtimes if you’d like to see this film in theaters. htthps://eastofwallflm.com/
The Takeaway:
This is a story of belonging, of family, blended or otherwise, of community, and survival, told in a very modern way. Complete with TikTok footage of the girls on their horses.
I enjoyed this film immensely and can see why it won the audience award at Sundance. It is entertaining and thought-provoking. You may find yourself seeing your troubles and stresses in a different light. If you like dramatic films, set in wide-open spaces, beautiful horses, and real people, especially women and girls in leading roles, I think you’ll enjoy East of Wall.
Please share in comments: Does this sound like a film you’d like to see?
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