"Rez Ball" is a slam dunk on Netflix!
This inspirational film tips off on Netflix September 27, 2024.
Rez Ball is produced by professional athlete, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Lebron James. Rez Ball follows the story of the Chuska Warriors - a high school basketball team rich in Native American heritage. After losing their star player, the team must come together like never before to keep their state championship dreams alive. This film is inspired by the book “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation”.
While Rez Ball is definitely a film for sports lover, it is so much more than that. This story opens audiences up to a vital part of America with a cultural influence that is seldom seen, recognized, or acknowledged properly within the media and film industry.
This film takes audiences to the heart of Chuska, New Mexico, with the Chuska Warriors basketball team. While this story is surely one of resilience, grit, and hope, it is also a film about culture, race, tradition, and classism. This film explores daily life for people living in indigenous communities which are rich in culture, family orientated, and thriving within their own communal area of America.
Rez Ball is a moving, emotional, and beautiful tale that boast a highly talented cast of new comers as well as veteran actors. This ensemble is predominantly made up of stellar indigenous actors who fit their roles perfectly in this riveting drama. According to Netflix, casting the film was an enormous endeavor, with 5,000 submissions for 10 parts.
The film stars:
Jessica Matten (Tribal)
Julia Jones (The Mandalorian)
Amber Midthunder (Prey)
Kiowa Gordon (Dark Winds)
Dallas Goldtooth (Reservation Dogs)
Cody Lightning
Ernest Tsosie
Kauchani H. Bratt
Devin Sampson Craig
River Rayne Thomas
Jojo Jackson
Avery Hale
Hunter Redhorse Arthur
Henry Wilson Jr.
Jaren K. Robledo
Damian Castellane
Kusem Goodwind
Zoey Reyes
Rez Ball made its world premiere ate the Toronto International Film Festival in early September 2024.
As this scrappy team, labeled as the underdogs fight to take home the ultimate victory, audiences will find themselves immersed in this truly heartfelt and poignant story.