The Federation of Black Cowboys Movie Review:


Synopsis:

Who’d have thunk it?
African – American cowboys, of all ages, taking the rooting tooting cowboy ethic, removing all of the straw – chewing, baccy spittin’ slack jaw redneck perception and taking their own, honed version to the streets of East Brooklyn. Well I’ll be darned.
This is shot over the course of one summer, as Martz hits the trail with the Federation as they take to the streets.

As well as having a very cool title,”Federation” is an adorable film. The FBC currently comprises 40 members, all of whom embrace the cowboy history and culture, and are proud to share it, to keep the movement alive, and their passion is contagious. Of course, they no longer live out in the sticks, but in the centre of NYC, so they have a new label – Urban cowboys. Urban cowboys have the crazy traffic (described as ‘cattle’) to contend with, but in the words of one young cowboy’s awed friend, “It’s just like driving a car, but it’s a animal!”

Black cowboys have been around a long time already - according to one member the original cowboys were black. ‘Cowboy’ used to be a derogatory term used among white people that eventually transcended the original meaning. As one man says “Those first cowboys must have done something right!”

Their HQ is a teeny - weenie cabin in the middle of the ranch, where they hold meetings to discuss cowboy related issues, but their dreams are far grander than its bijou stature. They long for it to one day become a cowboy museum, but in the meantime it serves as a place to meet, chat and prepare for visits from local schoolchildren.

So what are the attractions of being a cowboy? One of the kids there loves the horses, and was drawn in by the lull of getting to take care of them and work the ranch. In a hilarious moment, he watches as one of the older guys cleans the horses er, ‘intimate’ parts with a mortified expression, “I ain't ready for that yet!”, he cackles.
Another older guy thinks the clothes are fly, calling them “exclusive,” but that’s only one small aspect of his love for the movement.
Then there are the stunts, the roots, and the brotherhood. Many of the members refer to the feeling of family in the group. Another man says “I got on that horse, and forgot all about drink and drugs. There was just something about it.” He hasn’t touched either since, and that’s the power of these fine people who accepted this man as he was, without criticism.

Ed Dixon, the self – proclaimed leader, sees the work they do as a way to teach kids that there is another way and that more important than instant money and gratification is learning to enjoy life and not have fear, to “help kids with good living.”
It would be lovely if this documentary generated enough funds for their museum, as it seems to spread so much joy and positivity.
The reaction as the assembled posse take their horses on a night ride through busy streets is priceless – two women who have more than likely never seen a real horse flee in hysterics, and the reception is always positive.

If only we could all live our life with a little bit of the cowboy ethos the world could be a better place. Loving their work.

Terresa Gaffney

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