Frybread Face and Me Filming Locations and Production

Netflix coming-of-age drama Frybread Face and Me is a bittersweet character study that follows two cousins, coming together over a summer spent herding sheep on their grandmother’s Arizona reservation. The film, written and directed by Billy Luther, explores the themes of family, friendship, and growing up, and is touching and heartfelt without spilling into sentimentality. The film has a predominantly Native American cast and crew, and the majority of it takes place and was filmed in Arizona. However, other filming locations were utilized, so where did the filmmakers go to shoot the movie? We can answer that question and more.

Arizona, USA

Arizona | Image cr. Jim Greer

With the majority of the film taking place there, it was of course obvious that the crew would head out to establish the scenario for the production. The film required the locations to become part of the narrative, so shots of desert landscapes and trailer homes, with old cars and equipment strewn around, baked in the harshest weather patterns, were very important.

Arizona was perfect for filming and the writer Billy Luther would talk of visiting Arizona as a child in an interview on YouTube with Cowboys and Indians Magazine, remembering a tree with a rope swing that he included briefly in the film. During the interview, he also speaks about filming during Covid.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico | Image via Expedia

Much of the filming would also occur in New Mexico, which has a border with Arizona and a similar environment. Various locations around New Mexico were used to complete the authentic feel of the film.

An article in the Navajo-Hopi Observer would confirm the filming in Albuquerque, as well as a couple of other locations that were mentioned. Amber Dodson, director of the New Mexico Film Office, said,

“This production is telling a story of life on the Navajo reservation, which is a story that will resonate with many across the state and Navajo Nation. It is inspiring and necessary to see these types of stories being told by fellow New Mexicans right here in New Mexico.”

The article goes on to provide some stats for the film with Jennifer Esquivel, a spokeswoman for the New Mexico Film Office, stating that the production wrapped at the end of August 2021, and employed approximately 40 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico principal cast members and 30 New Mexico background actors and extras.

The article featured a quote from director Luther who said, “We are very appreciative to the city of Albuquerque and to all of the people who helped in the filming and production of the film.”

Who produced Frybread Face and Me?

Frybread Face and Me was produced by Chad Burris who is known for 2014’s Drunktown’s Finest, 2010’s The Killer Inside Me, 2009’s Barking Water, and 2008’s Splinter.

Chad Burris belongs to the Chickasaw Nation and is a native of Oklahoma. The film also attracted the attention of Taika Waititi who would act as an executive producer. Waititi, from New Zealand, has worked extensively in TV and film, and you will know of his work on productions such as What We Do in the Shadows, JoJo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Thor: Love and Thunder.