Billy Luther’s first foray into feature films, “Fried bread face and me”, which is also a very successful endeavor. Luther shows a talent for dealing with strangeness in such a subtle and subtle way that he reminds us that just because a story has strange elements, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the whole story.
Not only that, Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna) explores intertribal relations with a deft style and eye for humor. It takes a certain, talented writer/director combination to pull off these things, and Luther has all the qualities needed in a director.
The cast is expertly cast with the newest Native actors working today, and the mostly Navajo cast shines: Morningstar Angeline (Diné) is radiant as Benny’s mother Ann and Kahara Hodges (Navajo) as Aunt Lucy is dreamy as Benny’s loud, car-driving aunt. Old beats Ford up about Rez and sells jewelry to make ends meet.
Jeremiah Bitsui (Diné) and Tik Tok Navajo celebrity Nasheen Slueth (Diné) join the party as comedic relief as Uncle Roger and Aunt Sharon. Keir Tallman (Navajo) and Charlie Hogan (Navajo) have great chemistry as baby Benny and Freebred Face.
The film doesn’t move very quickly, nor does it need to.
What”face and me What we care about is showing you a specific New Mexico Navajo world of sparseness and possibility (the film was shot in Santa Fe using New Mexico film incentives).
Think lots of beautiful desert landscapes, old cars, trailer homes, a red version of a mechanical bull sitting in the front yard, and a sheep fence made of old wooden boards. The setting of the story is small, but the surrounding area is vast and full of adventure.
In the hands of a lesser filmmaker.”face and me He could easily get too caught up in sentimentality or try to focus solely on the stark differences between growing up queer in a world and a time that’s not ready for it, but what Luther chooses to do here is stick to his instinct to put the story first and let the rest of the elements follow on their own.
A touching story for the whole family, it’s no mistake that the film is available to stream on Netflix around the holidays, when families are together and want to watch something as satisfying as a holiday meal. There can’t be a better compliment to a family-friendly watch than that.
