“Frybread Face and Me”
by Danielle Bartelli
“Frybread Face and Me”, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2023, was picked up by Array Films and began streaming on Netflix on November 24, 2023. The film written and directedby Billy Luther (Navajo, Hopi, Laguna Pueblo) shares the experiences of character, Bennie, who travels from San Diego to the Navajo Reservation to spend the summer with his maternal grandmother. Bennie, played by Keir Tallman (Navajo), captures Luther’s semi-autobiographical visits in a tender and vivid series of memories strung together in a way that is relatable to most viewers, particularly those who have had complicated family dynamics and struggles with identity.
The journey begins on a bus to Winslow, Arizona, (actually Santa Fe, New Mexico) where 11-year-old Bennie deals with the lost opportunity to see his favorite band, Fleetwood Mac. His cheerful, yet flighty Aunt Lucy (Kahara Hodges) drops him off, but ensures him she’ll “be back.” He is challenged by his grandmother(Sarah H. Natani), who speaks Navajo, and Uncle Marvin, a grumpy wannabe bull rider who, by day, cares for the sheep that live in a makeshift corral.
Bennie faces criticism from his uncle who believes that Bennie was sent to the ranch to become a man. Bennie must do his best to mend the fence, care for the sheep, and watch an ice cream truck drive past the home often, without slowing down or stopping. Bennie also faces not playing with his action figures that had provided him with some entertainment.
Luckily for Bennie, his cousin, Dawn, also known as Frybread Face/Fry for short(Charley Hogan), arrives, also reeling from once again being dropped off at Grandma’s because her mother is “unhappy with her life.” Holding Jeff Bridges ,her doll, Fry is comforted by her loving grandmother and welcomed into the home. Fry, who speaks Navajo, serves as an interpreter for Bennie. In a series of meaningful scenes, both children are taught family traditions and ways. The simplicity of the tasks holds beauty; the methodical way Grandmother prepares the wool and hand-looms a rug, the sharing of food, the teasing and challenging of each other are things most families experience.
After time passes, the two children share family information, take on risky adventures, and develop a fondness for each other. There is little judgment in their friendship. They have bonded. Whether it was looking for lost sheep, learning to drive a car, dancing, or preparing breakfast, the two had a memorable time together.
The arrival of other relatives is mixed with apprehension and joy. In a family ceremony, Dawn asks Bennie, “Isn’t this better than a Fleetwood Mac concert?” The beauty and tradition of the gathering was familiar. The smiles and the joy were genuine.
Summer soon comes to an end, and Bennie’s mom, the oldest, the one who left the reservation after caring for her siblings, returns to collect Bennie. She is surprised at Bennie’s changes. Fry is crushed and feels abandoned once again. Bennie, while wishing to stay longer, realizes he must return to his life back in California. The bittersweet departure tugs at every viewer’s heart.
This simple, yet deeply meaningful story holds elements dear to all, including the uncertainty during one’s youth, the conflict between tradition and modern lifestyles, the loss of traditional knowledge and practices, the ups and downs of life, and the hope, humor, and joy of knowing there is more time to figure things out.
The raw beauty of the landscape, filmed by cinematographer Peter Simonite, captures and contributes to the story and remains a story in itself. This coming of age story of young Bennie leaves the audience recalling days gone by. Billy Luther’s film allows us to pause to remember those moments in our past that formed who we became. The range of emotions is real for the audience.
Knowing that a Native cast and crew were behind this project contributed to the authenticity of the film. One can enjoy viewing it over again. Luther states, “Native storytellers need to exist because we have to tell our stories. We need to bring our experiences to these stories and characters.”
Photo: by Sara Stierch, Missvain, "Indian Taco," licensed under Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0,
