If you think of a western, you will probably remember the recordings of the Monument Valley first, such as John Ford accommodated in numerous of his films. John Wayne is probably riding around the area there and pulls his revolver. However, this is only one side of the western.
In the course of film history, we have experienced a wide variety of interpretations of the genre, from dark Italian westerns to the sci-fi western. With The Rider, director and screenwriter Chloé Zhao dealt with familiar pictures of the genre in the present and creates a Poetic canvas poem.
TV tip: The Rider is an incredibly strong western
The story of The Rider is about Brady Blackburn, who is a big name in the Rodeo scene. After a tragic accident, however, he has to rethink his life. It is impossible to continue his career, which not only means the loss of his financial stand, but also to give up his dream.
Here you can watch the trailer for The Rider:
The Rider – Trailer (German) HD
Contrary to the many action and tension moments that you usually connect to a western, Zhaos Films feels More like a quiet echo to. The memory of the primal American genre is whispered by the wind through the vastness of the landscape before it disappears with the setting sun.
No survival sizes (anti) hero: The Rider proves to be a film that is directed to the inside with his broken protagonist who is interested in torn souls and the pain behind stoic looks. Particularly strong: amateur actor Brady Jandreau in the leading role, who makes his figure look incredibly lifelike.
Already in her feature film debut Songs My Brothers Taht Me and her later Oscar winner Nomadland put Zhao on the Cooperation with real people From the environment in which she goes with her stories. This gives your films an additional degree of authenticity. But she never gives up the cinematic.
The Rider is not a documentary. Zhao consciously and soulfully stages when it uses the breathtaking landscape shots to extend Brady’s conflicts and recognizes melancholy at the light of dusk, which can be transferred to both the main character and the entire genre.
Western secret tip: When is The Rider on TV?
The Rider runs tonight on March 15, 2025 at 10:50 p.m. on 3sat. The broadcast takes place without advertising and goes until 00:30. There is no repetition. If you prefer to stream the film, you can do it with various purchase and leisure tations on Amazon Prime Video and Co. It is not in streaming subscription.