Songs My Brothers Taught Me

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Songs My Brothers Taught Me

Released Mar 2, 2016

1h 41m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

68%

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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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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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

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Beguiling.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 9, 2021

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

One of the most fresh and exquisite directorial debuts I've seen, brought to life for its splendid unprofessional performances, filling the film with emotion and soul. A tale, almost a fable, of outsiders' lifes, a wonderful portrait of people never seen, ignored, omitted. There's this something in Chloé Zhao's style, something mystical and whimsical, as well as mesmerizing. Hypnotic

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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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, Highwayman Films, HEART-headed Productions, Film Independent
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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