Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone's new film Fancy Dance is out soon, and it tells an important story of sisterhood and the lives of Indigenous people.
Having filmed the movie during her breaks from Martin Scorsese's latest mammoth project – which landed her an Oscar nom – it's a personal one for the actor.
Earlier this month, she posted a heartfelt comment on X alongside the film's poster. She wrote: “I have never been prouder or more excited to announce… well… just about anything!”
And that's saying something, seeing as she very recently became the first ever Indigenous performer to be honoured at the Golden Globes in the history of the awards. She won the accolade for her performance as Molly Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
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No doubt the themes explored in her latest film are particularly important to the actor. Here's everything we know about Lily's new movie Fancy Dance.
Fancy Dance plot
According to IMDB's plot synopsis, the film will delve into American indigenous culture and family ties. It reads: “Following her sister's disappearance, a Native American hustler Jax (Gladstone) kidnaps her niece [Roki] from the child's white grandparents and sets out for the state powwow [a celebration of American Indian culture] in hopes of keeping what is left of their family intact.”
It adds: "At the risk of losing custody to Jax's father, Frank (Shea Whigham), [Jax and her niece] hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki's mother in time for the powwow. What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of Indigenous women moving through a colonised world and at the mercy of a failed justice system."
Fancy Dance will look closely at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic, and how it impacts both victims and those who know them.
Erica Tremblay, the film's director, co-writer and producer has spoken out about what the film's story means to her, in terms of who it represents. "I am thrilled to share this beautiful story of two Seneca-Cayuga women with a global audience,” she has said. “As a Native American filmmaker, seeing my community included in the rich tapestry of cinema is a dream come true.”
She elaborated further on how much the desire to be represented onscreen influenced the making of Fancy Dance.
“This is a historic one,” Gladstone said of the win.
“This story was born from the yearning to see ourselves reflected on the screen,” Erica said. “To be Native American women with multi-dimensional identities means facing harsh realities in spaces that are virtually invisible.
"For centuries Native families have been fractured by corrupt systems, and yet a vibrant and beautiful community still withstands. Fancy Dance is ultimately our love letter to that community and the women and queer folks who hold it together.” Fancy Dance will be her directorial debut.
Fancy Dance cast
Alongside Lily Gladstone, Shea Whigham (Eileen), Isabel Deroy-Olson, Crystle Lightning, Ryan Begay and Audrey Wasilewski will star.
Fancy Dance release date
It will be released in select cinemas and on streaming service Apple TV+ on 28 June.
Fancy Dance trailer
A trailer hasn't dropped yet, but we'll update this article as soon as one is available.
