The harsh climate and terrain of South Dakota’s Badlands give way to something gentle and warm in Kate Beecroft’s stunning directorial debut, East of Wall. Debuting earlier this year at Sundance, Beecroft’s docu-feature follows Tabatha, a rugged, grief-stricken horse trader as she tries to juggle caring for wayward teens, financial insecurity, and a rebellious daughter who is a little too much like herself. Oh, and did I mention she’s in a business dominated by men, and they look to try and take advantage of her every chance they get.
The thing about Tabatha, though, is that she’s the best there is at what she does. To look at her, all covered in tattoos and with a permanent scowl on her face, you’d think her to be someone to be avoided. But underneath that intimidating exterior is a heart of pure of gold.
In case you can’t tell, I was a huge fan of East of Wall, a sensitive film that reminded me of other movies centered on horse culture, such as Buck, Jockey, and The Rider.
While Tabatha and her daughter Porshia play versions of themselves, Scoot McNairy and Jennifer Ehle play fictional characters as part of their story.
SYNOPSIS: EAST OF WALL is an authentic portrait of female resilience in the ”New West” inspired and played by the women and girls who live it. Set in the Badlands of South Dakota, Tabatha, a young, rebellious rancher, who rescues and resells horses, must make hard decisions to deal with her fractured family, financial uncertainty, and unresolved grief, all while providing refuge for a group of wayward neighborhood teens.
East of Wall opens in select theaters on August 15th from Sony Pictures Classics.
