On a beautifully desolate Navajo reservation in New Mexico, three young people – a college-bound, devout Christian; a rebellious and angry father-to-be; and a promiscuous but gorgeous transsexual – search for love and acceptance.
As the three find their lives becoming more complicated and their troubles growing, their paths begin to intersect. With little in common other than a shared heritage, they soon learn that the key to overcoming their respective obstacles may come from the most unlikely of sources, each other.
Inspired by a 20/20 story that called her hometown of Gallup, NM “Drunktown USA,” writer/director Sydney Freeland has constructed a moving and ultimately uplifting story about coming of age in the most challenging of circumstances while still finding hope, healing, and the chance for a better life.
DRUNKTOWN’S FINEST is written and directed by Sydney Freeland. The film stars Jeremiah Bitsui, Carmen Moore, Morningstar Angeline, Kiowa Gordon, Shauna Baker, and Elizabeth Francis. Producers are Chad Burris and Mateo Frazier. Executive Producer is Robert Redford. Music is by Mark Orton (Nebraska), Cinematography is by Peter A.Holland, acs, and Harry Yoon is editor.
DRUNKTOWN’S FINEST will have its World Premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in the NEXT category.
2014 Sundance Institute-Time Warner Fellowship Recipient
2010 Sundance Director’s Lab
2010 George and Dolores Eccles Directing Fellowship
2010 Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab
2010 New Mexico New Visions Award Winner
2009 Sundance Native American Lab