The Mustang

About The Mustang

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The Mustang is a 2019 drama film directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre. The film tells the story of Roman Coleman, a violent convict who participates in a rehabilitation program involving training wild mustangs. As Roman connects with a particularly difficult horse, he begins to confront his own emotional baggage and find a path to redemption.

Roman, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, is a troubled man with a violent temper. He is serving a prison sentence when he is enrolled in a rehabilitation program run by Myles (Bruce Dern), a seasoned trainer. The program aims to help prisoners develop patience, discipline, and empathy by working with wild horses.

As Roman begins working with a wild mustang whom he names Marquis, a deep and transformative bond forms between the two. Through the process of training Marquis, Roman learns valuable lessons about trust, empathy, and his own capacity for change. Alongside this journey, the film also explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption.

Making / Production

The Mustang was directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mona Fastvold and Brock Norman Brock. The film was produced by Légende Films and made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019. The filmmakers worked closely with licensed wild horse trainers to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the horse training scenes.

The film was shot in Nevada, where the real-life prison program the story is based on actually takes place. The filmmakers aimed to capture the raw and harsh beauty of the desert landscape, which serves as a powerful backdrop for the struggles and emotional journey of the characters.

Actors

• Matthias Schoenaerts as Roman Coleman: Schoenaerts delivers a compelling performance as the troubled and emotionally closed-off inmate who finds solace and transformation through working with horses.
• Bruce Dern as Myles: Dern portrays the experienced horse trainer who guides and supports Roman through the rehabilitation program.
• Connie Britton as Psychologist: Britton plays the role of a psychologist who works with the inmates in the rehabilitation program, providing guidance and support.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Mustang is partially inspired by a real-life prison rehabilitation program in Nevada that involves training wild horses.
• The horse training scenes in the film were performed by real-life horse trainers and wild mustangs.
• The filmmakers worked closely with actual prisoners to accurately capture the daily routines and dynamics within the prison setting.
• The Mustang received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, compelling story, and its portrayal of the unique bond between humans and animals.

Awards

The Mustang received several nominations and awards, including:

• Best Screenplay at the 2019 Critics' Choice Movie Awards
• Top Ten Independent Films of the Year by the National Board of Review
• Nominated for Best First Feature at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards

Quotes

• "I don't want to talk about it. I want to forget about it. That's what I want." - Roman Coleman
• "It's just about listening. That's the secret. Just listen to her." - Myles
• "You can control them, or they can control you." - Roman Coleman

Music

The musical score for The Mustang was composed by Jed Kurzel. The score beautifully captures the emotional depth and intensity of the film, enhancing the storytelling.

Soundtrack

The Mustang features a selection of songs that complement the film's themes and atmosphere. The soundtrack includes:

• "To the Wild" by Alexander Lowe
• "Fifteen Years Ago" by Conway Twitty
• "Concerto in A Minor - RV 522, Op. 3 No. 8 (for 2 Violins) - I. Allegro" by Antonio Vivaldi