Riley Keough and Gina Gammell’s Struggle to Fund Debut Movie, War Pony

War Pony is the debut movie of co-directors Riley Keough and Gina Gammell. The movie has won critical acclaim and awards, including the Camera D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It tells a story of two young Native American men and was filmed on Pine Ridge Reservation with a largely local cast and first-time actors. Nonetheless, both co-directors say funding the movie was a challenging experience. In this article, we explore the struggles faced by the co-directors and their approach in getting the movie funded.

The Struggle to Get War Pony Funded

Keough shares that co-directing War Pony with Gammell was not easy, particularly when it came to funding. They had to struggle to get the movie funded, even with their experience and their family name behind them. They experienced sexism and bias when trying to get financiers to support their movie. It was frustrating and depressing for them.

The Reality of Women and First-Time Filmmakers

The co-directors noted that bias against women and first-time filmmakers still exists. Keough revealed that these biases are apparent in the money given to men compared to that given to women in the industry. First-time filmmakers like themselves struggle even more. That said, they were fortunate to have found wonderful financiers who believed in their vision and came together to support them.

The Difficulty in Attracting Investors

According to Gammell, they had to make phone calls during the week after shooting to source funds for the next week. War Pony had a completely indigenous cast and was shot on a minimal budget. The cast had no established names, which made attracting investors even more challenging. However, the co-directors persisted and managed to secure funding to complete their debut movie.

The Significance of Indigenous Cast and Crew

The co-directors took great pride in working with a predominantly indigenous cast and a crew that also had Pine Ridge Reservation locals. They connected and formed friendships with the cast and crew. They were undoubtedly moved by all the stories of resilience, community, and laughter that emerged during the production.

The Importance of the Pine Ridge Reservation Setting

Keough and Gammell wanted to tell a story about the indigenous community and their struggles in a world that did not offer much opportunity. They found Pine Ridge Reservation, the lands of the Oglala Lakota, as the ideal setting for War Pony since the Pine Ridge Reservation locals could help them bring the story to life.

The Recognition for War Pony

It was the Pine Ridge Reservation locals’ experience and the co-directors’ storytelling skills that brought War Pony to life. As mentioned, the movie has been recognized by various institutions. It has won the Camera D’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival and has an overall score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. The unique and masterful movie production is a testament to Keough and Gammell’s hard work despite the funding challenges they faced.

The Bigger Picture

The co-directors are optimistic that their success in getting War Pony funded will open doors for other women and first-time filmmakers. They hope that more women and indigenous filmmakers will have a better chance of getting their stories told. They believe that their work will encourage financiers to invest in committed and passionate filmmakers regardless of whether they are established names or not.

The Future of Keough and Gammell’s Partnership

Keough and Gammell’s successful collaboration in directing War Pony has cemented their friendship, and they are working on other projects together. Their bond is rooted in their shared storytelling passion and their commitment to marginalized communities being given a voice through film-making. They hope to create more inspiring work together, and their partnership will continue to make waves in the industry.

Conclusion

War Pony is an excellent debut movie from Riley Keough and Gina Gammell that has brought their shared storytelling, directing, and producing talents to light. Despite the struggles to get funding due to existing biases against women and first-time filmmakers, War Pony gives voice to marginalized communities while honoring their stories. The recognition that War Pony has received is a testament to the visionary talent and dedication of Keough and Gammell. Their friendship and partnership promise much more in terms of telling stories that matter.

FAQs

What were the difficulties that Keough and Gammell faced in getting their movie funded?

The co-directors experienced sexism and bias in the industry, making it difficult to secure funds for their debut movie.

Why was it challenging for Keough and Gammell to attract investors?

The movie had a completely indigenous cast, was shot on a minimal budget, and the cast had no established names, giving potential investors little confidence.

What is the significance of War Pony being shot on Pine Ridge Reservation?

The co-directors wanted to tell a story about the indigenous community and their struggles in a world that did not offer much opportunity. Pine Ridge Reservation provided an ideal setting for the movie.

What recognition has War Pony received?

War Pony won the Camera D’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival and has an overall score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Will Riley Keough and Gina Gammell continue to work together?

Yes, their successful collaboration in directing War Pony has cemented their friendship, and they are working on other projects together.