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Songs My Brothers Taught Me

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for Songs My Brothers Taught Me Released Mar 2, 2016 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Johnny and his sister Jashuan live with their single mother on a reservation. When their absentee father dies, Johnny feels compelled to strike out for a new life in LA, but fears leaving his sister behind.
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Songs My Brothers Taught Me

Songs My Brothers Taught Me

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Critics Consensus

A naturalistic drama that quietly earns its emotional resonance, Songs My Brothers Taught Me further establishes writer-director Chloé Zhao as a gifted filmmaker and empathetic storyteller.

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Critics Reviews

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Ian Freer Empire Magazine A striking debut from a blistering talent. What it lacks in narrative oomph it makes up for in beautiful imagery, natural performances and a worldview all its own. Rated: 4/5 Apr 14, 2021 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) Beguiling. Rated: 4/5 Apr 9, 2021 Full Review Ella Kemp Little White Lies The mystery and magic grow the longer you let it rest. Understated, but still impressive. Rated: 4/5 Apr 6, 2021 Full Review Annlee Ellingson CineWomen By casting and working with nonpros, from a treatment with scenes she wrote each morning, [Chloé] Zhao taps into stories — perhaps much like theirs — with authenticity and empathy. Jul 29, 2024 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) An impressionistic look at the American West and the complex relationship the Lakota Sioux have with their traditions and the world in which they now find themselves. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies Songs My Brothers Taught Me is visually composed primarily of many of the so called Zhao flourishes or stylings, with particularly harrowing moments defining character experience but not the narrative thrust. Rated: 70/100 Nov 18, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nadyezhda L This was an early Zhao directed full length film using non-professional actors. There is little action and a loose plot, but the acting is real and thoroughly relatable. The setting is the Pine Ridge Reservation, and the cinematography is stunning. We are transported to the modern everyday lives of real people, real conflicts and real emotions. Some may say it is too slow, but like a long walk in nature on uneven ground and burrs in your socks, this film, this story, is well worth the patient effort. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/23 Full Review Viviana G Amazinglyl fantastic movie! So beautiful and moving! Go to see it now! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/22 Full Review viviana g It´s one of the most amazing movies I´ve seen in the last few years! I strongly recommend it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review isla s This is a film about the indigineous people of America, which is what the director (Chloe Zhao) often focusses on - people on the outskirts of contemporary American culture, you could say, or else somewhat of a marginalised people. It has the look and feel of a documentary and it is sad to watch at times. I like the subtlety featured, which is continued in the directors later work. It deals with themes of rejection, adolescence and personal identity. It has less of a solid plotline type feel but its still a good watch, providing food for thought perhaps. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A beautiful piece of Indigenous cinema. If you enjoyed Nomadland you should check out this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/09/21 Full Review william k Intense, naturalistic drama of young people living on a reservation has a complex narrative with lots of diverse characters; skillfully stage d and brilliantly photographed. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Songs My Brothers Taught Me

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Movie Info

Synopsis Johnny and his sister Jashuan live with their single mother on a reservation. When their absentee father dies, Johnny feels compelled to strike out for a new life in LA, but fears leaving his sister behind.
Director
Chloé Zhao
Producer
Mollye Asher, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Angela C. Lee, Forest Whitaker
Screenwriter
Chloé Zhao
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
Significant Productions, Film Independent, Highwayman Films, HEART-headed Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$34.2K
Runtime
1h 41m
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