Pure Grit

2020

1h 28m

Documentary

List

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American bareback horse racer, her unwavering determination, and the relationships that sustain her. Sharmaine is a former horse racing champion, determined to ride and win. It's been a year since she last raced. A year since her sister was paralyzed in a catastrophic accident on the track. Sharmaine quit racing to care for her. In the stunning Wyoming wilderness of the Wind River reservation, Sharmaine and her new girlfriend Savannah begin to build a life for themselves. They hope for better. But the atmosphere at home soon deteriorates and the young lovers are forced to leave for the industrial Commerce City, Denver. The city brings freedom and opportunity, but also distractions and a strain on their fledgling relationship. When racing season starts up, Sharmaine and Savannah hit the road and put it all on the line. With a new horse from her city earnings, Sharmaine sees the potential for a fresh start, but life, like the race track, doesn't always go according to plan.

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Kim Bartley

Director

Savannah Martinez

Self

Sharmaine Weed

Self

Kim Bartley

Writer

Kim Bartley

Producer

Rachel Lysaght

Producer

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

The storytelling is often elliptical and full of mysterious silences. Still, it’s hard not be mesmerised by such a photogenic subject and likable heroine.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 26, 2022

Full Review

Naemi Dehde

Film Ireland Magazine

Pure Grit remains an overall compelling piece with a protagonist who audiences want to cheer on at the racetracks.

Oct 13, 2022

Full Review

Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

A sonorous, intimate and beautifully captured portrait from an America that seldom visits our screens.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 6, 2022

Full Review

Paul Whitington

Irish Independent

Irish filmmaker Kim Bartley’s documentary provides a fascinating window into another world.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 1, 2022

Full Review

Abhishek Sharma

Film Threat

The film, in all forms, is the most complete documentary I have ever seen, which will push you to relive your life choices and make you embrace the fact that everything must keep going on.

Rated: 9/10

Mar 31, 2022

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Screen International

A poignant study of the challenges and triumphs of lives lived on the fringes.

Jul 28, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American bareback horse racer, her unwavering determination, and the relationships that sustain her. Sharmaine is a former horse racing champion, determined to ride and win. It's been a year since she last raced. A year since her sister was paralyzed in a catastrophic accident on the track. Sharmaine quit racing to care for her. In the stunning Wyoming wilderness of the Wind River reservation, Sharmaine and her new girlfriend Savannah begin to build a life for themselves. They hope for better. But the atmosphere at home soon deteriorates and the young lovers are forced to leave for the industrial Commerce City, Denver. The city brings freedom and opportunity, but also distractions and a strain on their fledgling relationship. When racing season starts up, Sharmaine and Savannah hit the road and put it all on the line. With a new horse from her city earnings, Sharmaine sees the potential for a fresh start, but life, like the race track, doesn't always go according to plan.

Director: Kim Bartley
Producer: Daryl Ross Begay, Elizabeth A. Bell, David Caffrey, Lindsay Campbell
Screenwriter: Kim Bartley
Production Co: Underground Films, Underground Films Limited, Frontline Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 28m

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