Watchlist: ‘Frybread Face and Me’

By Kamiah Koch

Social media/digital journalist

During Grand Ronde’s celebration of Pride Week, Tribal departments collaborated to put on a Two-Spirit panel discussion, tie-dye workshop and on Thursday, June 11, a screening of “Frybread Face and Me.”

The movie’s main character is Benny – a Navajo Tribal youth raised without a strong connection to the Tribal culture or the language – who is sent to spend the summer on his grandmother’s sheep ranch in Arizona. There he meets various family members including his cousin, Dawn, (nicknamed “Frybread Face” by the family) who comes to stay the summer with their grandmother as well. This award-winning movie follows the cousins’ few months together as they discover the world, their culture and themselves.

When meeting his uncle Marvin, Benny is asked, “Are you a cowboy or a cowgirl?” With a shrug, he responds, “I’m just Benny.”

There were about 15 people who attended the screening in the Tribal gym and this scene received celebratory snaps as Benny remains unapologetically himself.

Tribal member Silas Hoffer attended the screening and said one of their favorite scenes was when Benny is pressured to act more masculine by men in his family who demonstrate “fragile masculinity” traits.

“Benny responds with, ‘If that’s what being a man is then I don’t want it,’” Hoffer said. “And that’s the story of queer life.”

This coming-of-age movie not only explores queerness. Benny also learns about traditional Indigenous culture by participating in ceremonies and by watching his grandmother weave and story tell. 

In one scene, which can be seen in the movie trailer, the family gathers to honor a baby’s first laugh. This is an important milestone in their clan and Benny has the privilege of being the one who made the baby laugh. He participates in the ceremony as the sun sets, which also signifies the end of summer.

Benny leaves Arizona feeling more connection to his people and himself.

“There is always a family for you,” Hoffer said. “There is always a place where you will be normal. It’s scary now, but the joy and happiness you experience by being yourself is unmatched.”

You can watch the “Frybread Face and Me” trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgwL9B8L_s or watch the entire movie available to stream on Netflix.