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Rez Ball is a motivational sports drama film based on the novel Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation, written by the award-winning columnist Michael Powell. It is directed by Native American filmmaker Sydney Freeland, who co-authored the screenplay with Sterlin Harjo.
The movie narrates the story of a Native American high school basketball team, Chuska Warriors, whose members have lost one of their star players Nataanii Jackson. The team faces their biggest challenge to overcome their sorrow, strengthen the team, and prove they are still the state champions.
Set in the town of Chuska in New Mexico, the movie's shooting principally took place in the Navajo Nation, a Native American reservation. Produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Rez Ball first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024. The movie was finally made available for streaming on Netflix on September 27, 2024.
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Rez Ball filming location explored
As per an article on Deadline, published on April 17, 2023, the team of Rez Ball began its shooting in New Mexico. Since the entire story of Rez Ball strives to showcase the Native American culture, the production team employed nearly 3,000 New Mexicans. This included 180 crew members, and almost 2737 background staff, who collaborated towards making the movie a success.
The primary locations involved in the shooting of Rez Ball are:
Shiprock, New Mexico.
Shiprock is a self-governing territory of the Navajo reservation, which is located in San Juan County, New Mexico. The place is mainly named after the Shiprock mound rock formation, which has great significance in Navajo culture.
Shiprock was founded on September 11, 1903, by William Taylor Shelton, who was appointed as the superintendent of the San Juan Agency, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, the governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México founded Albuquerque in 1706. The place is located mainly in the Albuquerque Basin and is bordered by the West Mesa landmass lying on the west, whereas the Sandia Mountains borders its east region.
Albuquerque has a rich historical heritage, with numerous cultural landmarks including the University of New Mexico, the Gathering of Nations, the New Mexico State Fair, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Also known as the Duke City, Albuquerque is one of the best choices for exploring New Mexican cuisines.
Los Lunas, New Mexico
Los Lunas is a village located in Valencia County in New Mexico. The history of this place goes back to 1716 when the land was allotted to Don Adrian Luna Candelaria. Two years later, the ownership was later shifted to the Luna family.
It was in 1876 when the village became a part of an administrative center. In 1928, Los Lunas gained the recognition of a Native community village.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Located in the Piedmont region of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is the capital city of New Mexico. Founded in 1610, the place is the oldest state capital in the history of the United States. As per the 2022 American Community Survey, the city has over 89,000 residents, making it the fourth-most populous city in the state.
Sante Fe has a rich heritage of art, history, and architecture, studded with galleries and museums, across the city. It is a popular tourist destination for artists, history enthusiasts, and travel photographers.
Estancia Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rip Rancho is the third biggest city in New Mexico and the most populated region in the entire Sandoval County. Originally founded by Spanish colonial settlers back in 1710, Rio Rancho was part of the Town of Alameda.
In 1848, after the United States defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American War, the region came under its territory. Since the late 20th century, the city's large ranches were developed as a suburb of Albuquerque.
Navajo Nation
A major part of the Rez Ball is shot in the Navajo Nation. The Indian reservation is spread in parts of northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and southeastern Utah. Its seat government is located in Window Rock, Arizona. It is the largest Indian reservation in the United States.
On September 26, the Rez Ball makers held a special film screening at the Rock Theatre for the community members who helped make the film. At the screening event, Navajo President Buu Nygren spoke about how basketball is seen as an important part of one's life in the Navajo Nation.
Rez Ball will be released on Netflix on September 27, 2024.
