Apache Leap
Apache artist Keane is forced into a desperate mission to get a job before the deadline passes and his dreams evaporate, all while navigating family stresses, enemies from his past, and an unpredictable old car.
Produced on location in the San Carlos Apache Reservation and the neighboring city of Globe, Arizona, this independent feature explores the extraordinary beauty and the unique challenges of these two communities, and the scorching ribbon of highway that connects them.
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Christian RozierDirectorRacing the Past
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John Lewis TandyWriter
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Christian RozierWriterLineage
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Selina Marie CurleyProducer
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Carrie Sage CurleyProducer
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Douglas Miles Sr.ProducerIn Circles
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Ignacio KentonKey Cast"Keane Cassadore"
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Carrie Sage CurleyKey Cast"Alison Cassadore"
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Douglas Miles Sr.Key Cast"John Riley"In Circles
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Mariah KitcheyanKey Cast"Melanie Riley"
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Rachel CurtisKey Cast"Mina Riley"
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Chesley Goseyun WilsonKey Cast"Uncle Max"12 Years a Slave, The Revenant
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Christian RozierExecutive ProducersRacing the Past, Lineage
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Glen LineberryExecutive Producers
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Douglas Miles Jr.Executive ProducersThe Mystery of Now
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David OrrCinematographerKim Swims, Drive All Night
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Emily KoonseEditorThe Blue Hour, The Gathering
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Project Type:Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 24 minutes 10 seconds
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Completion Date:April 9, 2021
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Production Budget:140,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:RED Digital Cinema
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Aspect Ratio:2.40:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Portland Film FestivalPortland, OR
United States
October 10, 2021
Official Selection -
American Indian Film FestivalSan Francisco, CA
United States
November 5, 2021
Official Selection -
Montreal Independent Film FestivalMontreal
Canada
November 1, 2021
Official Selection -
Black Swan International Film FestivalKolkata
India
January 11, 2022
Award Winner - Best Debut Feature Film -
Paris Play Film FestivalParis
France
December 31, 2021
French Premiere
Award Winner - Best Feature Film
Christian Rozier began his career as a music video and commercial director, producing broadcast videos for politically engaged artists locally and internationally. His documentary film credits include 'Among the Trees', a world tour feature film that follows the seminal hip-hop group Arrested Development throughout, and 'Life In The Age Of Excess', a documentary about an emerging barter economy movement in Los Angeles. Christian is also one of the featured filmmakers in the United Nations sponsored global film 'One Day On Earth' and a screenwriter of the 2013 feature film Lineage. He has produced documentary films in Senegal and in Southeast Asia, and his documentary 'Racing The Past' has won awards at numerous festivals.
He is the director of the 2021 feature film 'Apache Leap'. Produced on location in the San Carlos Apache Reservation and the neighboring city of Globe, Arizona, this independent feature film explores the extraordinary beauty and the unique challenges of these two communities, and the scorching ribbon of highway that connects them.
Apache Leap was born of the shared vision and commitment of an entire community who seeks to see itself represented with all the nuance and beauty that the San Carlos Apache Reservation contains. The entire main cast--as well as the majority of production crew members--is comprised of tribal members.
In order to prepare for production, the producers raised funds to create the Native Arts Film Academy, an intensive training module open to young adults with an interest in working on the film. Ultimately, there were nine graduates of that program who were hired by the production as crew in the camera, sound, art, and production departments.
As director, this structure of complete inclusivity in our production was absolutely essential and remains my most favored element of the production. Apache Leap is truly a family affair, and the film is textured with the pride of a community eager to share a glimpse of itself with the world.