Watch Songs My Brother Taught Me

Songs My Brother Taught Me is a 2015 independent film set in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The film is directed by Chloé Zhao and stars John Reddy, Jashaun St. John, Irene Bedard, and Taysha Fuller. The movie tells the story of a Native American family that is struggling with poverty, alcoholism, and broken dreams.

The film opens with a shot of a young Lakota boy, Johnny (John Reddy), standing on a hill overlooking the reservation. He is watching a group of cowboys break wild horses as the sun rises. Johnny is a talented artist who draws and paints, and he often sells his art to tourists who visit the reservation.

Johnny's older sister, Jashaun (Jashaun St. John), is a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world. She is torn between her duty to her family and her desire to escape the reservation and attend college. Jashaun has a boyfriend, but she is struggling with whether or not she wants to pursue a relationship with him.

The family's mother, Lisa (Irene Bedard), is an alcoholic who has given up on her dreams. She works at the local bar and spends her nights drinking with her friends. Lisa's husband died years ago, and she has been raising her children on her own ever since.

The family is forced to confront their problems when Johnny's best friend dies in a car accident. The friend's death reminds them of how fragile life can be and how important it is to pursue their dreams. Jashaun decides to apply to college, and Johnny starts to take his art more seriously. Lisa tries to overcome her addiction and become a better mother.

The film is beautifully shot, and it captures the stark, rugged beauty of the reservation. The movie's soundtrack includes traditional Lakota songs and contemporary music by local musicians. The music adds to the film's emotional impact and helps to tell the story of the family's struggles.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of the complex relationships between the characters. Johnny and Jashaun love each other, but they also fight and argue. Lisa loves her children, but she is unable to escape her addiction. The movie shows how these relationships are shaped by the history and culture of the Lakota people.

The film's themes include the importance of family, the struggle to overcome poverty and addiction, and the difficulty of balancing tradition and modernity. The movie also highlights the unique challenges faced by Native Americans in the United States, including the legacy of colonization and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.

Songs My Brother Taught Me is a poignant and authentic portrayal of life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The film is a celebration of Lakota culture and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a must-see for anyone interested in independent cinema or Native American culture.

Songs My Brother Taught Me is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 68.