Watch Songs My Brothers Taught Me

Songs My Brothers Taught Me is an independent drama film directed by Chloé Zhao and released in 2015. The movie showcases the power of brotherhood and the struggle of two siblings in the Standing Rock Reservation of South and North Dakota. It highlights the cultural and social issues faced by Native American families living in the United States.

The story revolves around Johnny and Jashaun, who are Native American siblings residing in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Johnny is a young man preparing to leave his hometown for college and start his life anew. On the other hand, Jashaun is a talented young girl with a passion for horses and photography. They both have to deal with the death of their father, a respected tribal singer and poet, and the challenges of growing up in a profoundly complicated environment.

As Johnny prepares to leave for Los Angeles, he confronts a series of harsh realities about his culture, community, and family. He struggles to come to terms with his decision, as he is torn between cherishing his roots and following his ambitions. After his father's death, he is forced to take on new responsibilities that make him confront a past that he has long tried to forget.

Jashaun, on the other hand, is a young girl full of hope and determination. She is passionate about taking photos of the area surrounding the reservation and selling them to potential buyers. Despite her young age, she is confident and skilled, and her father's death does not stop her from chasing her dreams. Her yearning to hold on to her father's memory and the traditions of her tribe is evident in her photography, which showcases the beauty of the reservation and its people.

Throughout the movie, Zhao manages to depict the complexity of living in a Native American community with authenticity and sensitivity. The movie raises issues of identity, belonging, and the struggle of Native Americans to reconcile their traditions with the demands of modern society. The audience is presented with an intimate view of the lives of the residents living in Pine Ridge, a territory whose beauty and poverty are often overlooked.

The cast of the movie includes John Reddy, Jashaun St. John, and Irene Bedard, whose performances are remarkable. The director manages to push the actors to connect with their characters on a deeply emotional level, making their portrayal of the sibling's journey incredibly moving.

In conclusion, Songs My Brothers Taught Me is a movie that provides a realistic and captivating portrayal of life in a Native American Reservation. The movie is a beautiful, emotional, and moving story about two siblings who love each other and who must confront the challenges of the world around them. Through their experiences, the movie inspires viewers to look beyond their prejudices and learn more about the challenges faced by people living in parts of America that are often ignored. Ultimately, it is a powerful, moving story of love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Songs My Brothers Taught Me is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 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.