The Rider

About The Rider

The Rider is a 2018 American drama film directed and produced by Chloé Zhao. The story revolves around a young cowboy, Brady Blackburn (played by Brady Jandreau), who, after suffering a near-fatal head injury, embarks on a quest for a new identity and purpose. Its rich narrative delivers a powerful exploration of modern day cowboy life and identity crisis while highlighting the protagonist's emotional journey.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Caviar Content and Highwayman Films. Its production combines elements of fictional and real life, and the actors are primarily non-professionals playing versions of themselves. It offers a blend of classic and contemporary filmmaking techniques.

Actors

• Brady Jandreau as Brady Blackburn - He delivers a powerful performance, engaging the audience with his genuine authenticity as a cowboy dealing with a life-changing injury.
• Tim Jandreau as Wayne Blackburn - Playing Brady's father, Tim portrays a complex character exhibiting tough love but also deep concern for his son.
• Cat Clifford as Lilly Blackburn - Lilly, Brady's sister in the movie, delivers a heartwarming performance in her own subtle and unique way.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film was mostly shot on location in South Dakota, accurately capturing the Midwestern landscape.
• The majority of the cast members were non-actors. The film's protagonist, Brady Jandreau, was actually a rodeo rider in real life who experienced a similar head injury.
• The film premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation.

Awards

The Rider received critical acclaim and collected numerous awards. It won the Prix de la mise en scène (Best Director) at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival (Directors' Fortnight section). It was also nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards including Best Feature and Best Director.

Quotes

• "If you don't ride bulls, just how in the hell are you gonna get out?" - Brady Blackburn
• "I believe God gives each of us a purpose. For a horse, it's to run across the prairie. For a cowboy, it's to ride." - Brady Blackburn

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's original music is composed by Nathan Halpern. The score underlines the film's quiet strength and emotional undercurrents.
• Songs featured in the film include "Take Me to the Top" by Sheena Pool and "Cowboy Needs a Horse" by Claire Anne Carr.