Cedar Creek Productions | BUCK the Film in the Press
by Joe Leydon
July 6, 2011
If you’re in the know about horses, chances are good you already know a lot about Buck Brannaman, the celebrated trainer and equine expert famed for spreading the gospel of “natural horsemanship” — the process of communicating with horses through empathy and instinct, not threats and punishment — at the four-day clinics that occupy three-quarters of his time every year.
June 27, 2011
John P. Meyer
If you’ve seen Buck, you know that the subject of Cindy Meehl’s extraordinary documentary — Buck Brannaman — comes across as a naturally charismatic individual. His warmth and ready humor make him seem like the kind of person you’d want as a friend. His coolness under pressure conveys the sense that you could count on him to back your play. In Louis L’Amour terms, he’d be one to ride the river with. Read complete article >
The Christian Science Monitor
Peter Ranier, Film Critic, June 17, 2011
Near the beginning of the fascinating new documentary “Buck,” Buck Brannaman, who runs horse-training clinics around the country, says, “A lot of times, rather than helping people with horse problems, I’m helping horses with people problems.”
Brannaman is the subject of first-time filmmaker Cindy Meehl’s graceful look at the man who was the inspiration for Robert Redford’s role in “The Horse Whisperer.” Nicholas Evans, who wrote the novel upon which that film is based, calls Brannaman the zen master of the horse world.”
June 14, 2011
Most documentary films bring to light environmental and political issues, but there is a slightly different theme to the film Buck, where even the most die-hard city dweller can appreciate a gentle cowboy and his land.
With a message of hope (as emphasized by director Cindy Meehl in a Q&A with REACT to FILM), Buck can inspire everyone to take several types of action. Besides helping everyone realize that we are all indeed humans, regardless of our background, it also relays the important healing power animals can have in our lives. You may just be inspired to learn to ride a horse.
At RtF’s screening on June 6, Buck and Buck Brannaman were there. I am not sure which was more thrilling to see, but both were powerful. If you saw the film then, or if you plan to see the film when it comes to theaters in NYC and LA (June 17 y’all!), let’s make sure everyone understands what you can do to REACT to the film.
You can get other people to see the film!
We want to increase the exposure of Buck and engage people in the conversation about this award-winning film. Support organizations that support what cowboys like Brannaman are doing!
Emelia Paul started an organization in honor of her father, “James D Paul II Foundation” that helps children, without the economic ability, to attend therapy workshops with horses in the dealing of the loss of a family member. After the death of her father, Emelia was able to cope with her grief through this experience.
Brannaman himself is working with Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles organization that helps former gang members transform their futures and move on from their past. He will be holding one of his sessions with a group of young men soon.
Most importantly, let’s be annoying. Email, Facebook, or tweet to let people know that you can see Buck in theaters on June 17 and across the country soon.
The calm, centered Buck Brannaman works wonders with troubled horses. Now, the cowboy who inspired ‘The Horse Whisperer’ is the focus of his own film, ‘Buck.
Filmthreat.com
KJ Doughton – interview
There’s absolutely no way on God’s green-pastured, stallion-roaming earth you could POSSIBLY convince me that “Buck” would bring me to tears. I can’t stand horses. The thought of enduring 88 minutes with a boot ‘n bolo-wearing cowboy seemed like one big cinematic saddle sore. Before entering the theater, I was already smelling cow-pies and swatting flies.
SADDLEANDBRIDLE.COM
June Issue
by Jane E. B. Simmons –article
“A lot of my work is not helping people with their horse problems but helping horses with their people problems,” Buck Brannaman says of his life’s work. Called a horse whisperer by others, the Montana native calls himself a cowboy.
Cowboys & Indians, The Premier Magazine of the West
I
f you saw the Robert Redford movie The Horse Whisperer, then you already know Buck Brannaman, the real-life Wyoming horseman who the movie and the book by Nicholas Evans were based on. But that’s just part of the Brannaman story. Buck, a visually striking documentary on Brannaman, premiered last winter at Redford’s 2011 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Audience Award for best documentary, and has received rave reviews from esteemed film critics. He contributed to On Horses’ Wings, the fundraising music CD for the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. And he wrote Ranch Roping: The Complete Guide to a Classic Cowboy Skill (2009). Through it all, he’s been plying his trainer trade spreading the gospel of natural horsemanship.