Taika Waititi and Billy Luther Discuss “Frybread Face and Me” at TIFF 2023

Taika Waititi’s Reflections on Purpose and Community

Taika Waititi, a prominent figure in Hollywood, found himself in a familiar scenario during his journey in the film industry. It’s a scene we often witness in biopics: the protagonist waking up, questioning their life choices, and contemplating their purpose. Taika Waititi candidly shared this experience during an interview at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. He expressed, “What the heck am I doing? Why am I doing this? For what reason? There’s no purpose, and I’m getting nothing out of this.” However, he quickly realized that the true purpose of his work was to make a positive impact on his community by supporting and uplifting others.

While Waititi was at the festival to premiere his eagerly awaited sports comedy “Next Goal Wins,” he was also actively promoting the independent film “Frybread Face and Me.” This film, directed by Billy Luther and executive produced by Waititi, tells a compelling coming-of-age story about two Navajo cousins who form a deep bond while spending time at their grandmother’s house on the Arizona reservation. “Frybread Face and Me” had its world premiere at SXSW earlier in the year and was now making its international debut as part of the TIFF Discovery program.

A Friendship Forged in Filmmaking

The collaboration between Billy Luther and Taika Waititi didn’t start with “Frybread Face and Me.” Instead, it dates all the way back to the Sundance Film Festival in 2003. It was at this festival that Luther, the director of “Frybread Face and Me,” generously lent his Nokia phone charger to Waititi, sparking the beginning of their enduring friendship. Waititi humorously reminisced about those days when a charged phone could last for an impressive four days. Soon after this initial encounter, Luther carved a path for himself in the world of documentary filmmaking, eventually earning acclaim for works like “Miss Navajo,” which premiered at the same festival in 2007. Remarkably, Luther’s documentary journey was not part of his original career plan; he stumbled into the nonfiction realm.

Reflecting on his transition, Luther shared, “I fell into the nonfiction world. It wasn’t something that was planned to do. In documentaries, you don’t make a living—you can’t make a living in it. So, I just jumped in, and during the pandemic, I had [spent] that entire year of 2020 writing.” Just a year later, Luther was selected for the prestigious Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Labs, setting the stage for his narrative feature debut.

Taika Waititi’s Mentorship in Filmmaking

Taika Waititi played a pivotal role in the production of “Frybread Face and Me,” providing valuable advice on how to elicit exceptional performances from the young stars of the film, Keir Tallman (Benny) and Charley Hogan (Fry). Luther recalled Waititi’s support, saying, “He gave me a ring [from] the set of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder.’ He would just give tips on working with first-time actors, kids. And it’s a secret that I’m going to hold forever because he’s a pro at it.” Luther’s own experience in documentary filmmaking proved instrumental in working with first-time actors, as he focused on capturing their natural mannerisms and getting to know them intimately.

Waititi, who faced similar challenges when directing his first short film involving kids, emphasized the importance of seeking advice and learning from others who had mastered the art of working with young actors. He revealed that some western directors tended to withhold filmmaking insights, but he was committed to breaking down such barriers. “They don’t like coming to each other’s sets. They don’t like sharing information. And I’m like, ‘The more, the merrier,” said the Oscar-winning filmmaker. He firmly believes in demystifying the filmmaking process, stressing that directing ultimately boils down to making swift decisions.

Embracing Indigenous American Stories

In addition to his involvement in “Frybread Face and Me,” Taika Waititi also serves as a producer on “Reservation Dogs,” a groundbreaking comedy series set to conclude its third and final season on FX. Waititi’s affinity for Indigenous American stories stems from the shared experiences and backgrounds of Indigenous communities, even across different regions. He elaborated on this connection, saying, “The reason I became friends with Sterlin is we connected over stories of how we grew up, and we realized we had the exact same childhood, except his was in Tulsa. There’s certain things where you decide, I identify with this because that’s my childhood. It doesn’t matter where it is.”

Both Taika Waititi and Billy Luther are actively challenging stereotypes about Indigenous communities and dispelling the notion of their isolation from the rest of the world. Whether it’s Waititi’s film “Boy,” where the protagonist is a Michael Jackson superfan, or the characters Benny and Fry in “Frybread Face and Me” repeatedly watching Jeff Bridges in “Starman” on VHS, these creators are showcasing relatable and universal experiences. Luther expressed this shared sentiment, stating, “It’s giving an insight into a part of North America that would feel pretty alien to a lot of people. They wouldn’t realize it’s in your backyard.” For filmmakers like Waititi, their mission is to introduce audiences to diverse ways of life, locations, and experiences beyond the stereotypical narratives of New York City.

Distribution Challenges for Indigenous Films

While there is an increasing demand for Native American stories in film festival programs, the path to wider theatrical distribution remains challenging, not only for Indigenous filmmakers but for the industry as a whole. Billy Luther acknowledged the difficulties faced by filmmakers in the current landscape, explaining, “It’s a hard time now with films. Not just indigenous films, but films in general. Distribution’s really hard. Nobody’s really buying anything right now. You see that with Sundance in the past few years, and I’m not sure what’s to come with that.”

Taika Waititi, whose film “Next Goal Wins” premiered at TIFF as a Searchlight Pictures release, shared his uncertainty about the fate of his own film due to the pandemic’s disruptions. He admitted, “I didn’t even know if this film would be seen because the pandemic happened. I shot it in 2019, then I wasn’t able to work on it for a year, and I really believed that, for a little moment there, maybe it would just be straight to video, maybe it’ll just get shelved.” Despite the challenges, both filmmakers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase their work in a tumultuous industry.

In conclusion, “Frybread Face and Me” made its international debut at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Taika Waititi and Billy Luther’s collaboration not only highlights their commitment to breaking down barriers in the film industry but also showcases the power of storytelling to bridge cultural divides and shed light on lesser-known aspects of society.

Taika Waititi married Rita Ora in 2022.