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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.

  • Christian Rozier
    Director
    Racing the Past
  • John Lewis Tandy
    Writer
  • Christian Rozier
    Writer
    Lineage
  • Selina Marie Curley
    Producer
  • Carrie Sage Curley
    Producer
  • Douglas Miles Sr.
    Producer
    In Circles
  • Ignacio Kenton
    Key Cast
    "Keane Cassadore"
  • Carrie Sage Curley
    Key Cast
    "Alison Cassadore"
  • Douglas Miles Sr.
    Key Cast
    "John Riley"
    In Circles
  • Mariah Kitcheyan
    Key Cast
    "Melanie Riley"
  • Rachel Curtis
    Key Cast
    "Mina Riley"
  • Chesley Goseyun Wilson
    Key Cast
    "Uncle Max"
    12 Years a Slave, The Revenant
  • Christian Rozier
    Executive Producers
    Racing the Past, Lineage
  • Glen Lineberry
    Executive Producers
  • Douglas Miles Jr.
    Executive Producers
    The Mystery of Now
  • David Orr
    Cinematographer
    Kim Swims, Drive All Night
  • Emily Koonse
    Editor
    The Blue Hour, The Gathering
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 24 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 9, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    140,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED Digital Cinema
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.40:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Portland Film Festival
    Portland, OR
    United States
    October 10, 2021
    Official Selection
  • American Indian Film Festival
    San Francisco, CA
    United States
    November 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    November 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Black Swan International Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    January 11, 2022
    Award Winner - Best Debut Feature Film
  • Paris Play Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    December 31, 2021
    French Premiere
    Award Winner - Best Feature Film
Director Biography - Christian Rozier

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.