Man 1: Here’s ‘Rez Ball,’ behind the scenes.

[excited chatter] 

Sydney Freeland: We’re getting the chance to introduce the world to ‘Rez Ball.’ 

River Rayne Thomas: We’re breaking barriers here. This is something bigger than just a movie.

Man 1: ‘Stoodis. Come on, boys. 

Jessica Matten: We’re gonna do what we do best: Rez ball.

Man 3: Boom.

[crowd cheers]

Sydney Freeland: Rez ball is a fast-paced style of basketball. It’s a lot of running. It’s a lot of shooting. 

Kauchani Bratt: I think this is just a really great story with a really great cast and a really great team. From the producers to the crew to literally … to everybody. 

Crew member: And action.

Sydney Freeland: Getting to see the look of joy on people’s faces when you get that emotional beat and you get the three-pointer to go in on the 17th take, there’s no better feeling in the world.

Kusem Goodwind: I feel like, just to be around each other, be around the other cast members, just to form that connection, form that chemistry. 

Woman 1: What up? [laughs]

Kusem Goodwind: Form that relationship with each other, it was pretty important.

Team: One, two, three. Friday!

[teammate claps]

Jessica Matten: There’s still a lot of healing that we have to do as a culture because of what was taken away from us. Literally, our ways of being. So in terms of what it takes for an entire culture to heal, we still very much are in that generation.

Sydney Freeland: The story that we’re telling is real life for a lot of people. We didn’t want to shy away from the issues back home on the reservation. So many of these moments we portray, our cast has a very personal connection to.

Kusem Goodwind: In our community, you know, laughing and being happy is huge just because our people have been through so much, That’s probably what got us through this time. 

Sydney Freeland: We really tried to create an environment where it was very welcoming and inviting, and if you can be vulnerable, hopefully that will help somebody else, and they can see themselves reflected. I would often say to the actors, “This is good medicine.”

[excited chatter]

[woman] Pictures up.

Jessica Matten: All of my favorite moments have been cheering with the guys because, to me, it’s like, we’re cheering on-screen, yes. But I think we’re also cheering for our lives right now.

Let’s go!

[crowd] Warriors!

[players] Let’s go!

[crowd] Warriors!

Jessica Matten: I know these boys probably have seen some stuff. That’s why it matters even more for me to hear one of them scream out in the back of the shuttle, “I love my life, man! I love my life!” That’s what this film is doing.

[announcer] Our heroes!

Yes! Yes!

Avery Hale: It creates a lot of meaning for me to have a native group, circle. The joy, the humor.

Son. [laughs]

I remember … Hey! Hey! Hey! 

Jaren K. Robledo: The Indigenous peoples and cultures are pretty badass.

[laughs]

[whistle blows] 

River Rayne Thomas: I hope that it ignites a fire in those who might not even be born yet.

[announcer] Nataanii Jackson …

Yes! 

Hunter Redhorse Arthur: We can fight against adversity. We’re not just gonna fold, and that’s what this film’s about.

[bright music playing] 

Kusem Goodwind: I feel like I already knew them before I met them. Just as native people, we’re all, like, related.

[cameraperson] These are all the brothers and sisters.

Amber Midthunder: The heart of the movie is about community. And it’s about culture, and it’s about tenacity. We’ve been through that with the people who are standing next to you. 

Jessica Matten: I am very excited about the impact yet to be seen for these young men that have been hired onto ‘Rez Ball.’ Because I know how it’s already changing their lives. It’s that spark of hope and that spark of, “What if?”

River Rayne Thomas: We have our stories to tell. As Indigenous people, we don’t need anybody else telling them for us. It’s been like that for too long.

Bus driver: All aboard! 

Kauchani Bratt: For natives, they’re gonna see themselves within the story. For sure.

Jessica Matten: Run through the finish line.

Person: I played Rez ball. This is something that I experienced growing up. So we’re really excited to share this with the world. “Sheep camp,” on three! One, two, three!

Team: Sheep camp!

[bright music fades]

[drum sound effect plays]