Once Upon A River

Directed by Haroula Rose
Film Movement
2019
92 Minutes
USA
English
Drama, Coming of Age
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Based on the best-selling novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell, Once Upon A River is the story of Native American teenager Margo Crane in 1970s rural Michigan. After enduring a series of traumas and tragedies, Margo (newcomer Kenadi DelaCerna) sets out on an odyssey on the Stark River in search of her estranged mother. On the water, Margo encounters friends, foes, wonders, and dangers; navigating life on her own, she comes to understand her potential, all while healing the wounds of her past. Written and directed by Haroula Rose, this midwestern gothic Americana story is, in the words of Jane Smiley for The New York Times, “an excellent American parable about the consequences of our favorite ideal, freedom.”

Director & Cast

  • Director: Haroula Rose
  • Starring: Kenadi DelaCerna
  • Starring: John Ashton
  • Starring: Tatanka Means
  • Starring: Ajuawak Kapashesit
  • Starring: Lindsay Pulsipher
  • Starring: Josephine Decker

Where to Watch

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Trailer

Photos

Director Haroula Rose

Reviews

  • "Beautiful. Shocking. Moving. Haunting. Lovely. Lasting. First-time feature writer-director (and Chicago area product) Haroula Rose’s “Once Upon a River” is all that and more. It’s a stark, authentic slice of a certain kind of rough-hewn life — the calloused-hands world we see in gritty films such as “Frozen River” and “Winter’s Bone,” “Leave No Trace” and “American Woman.” There’s no trace of Hollywood glamour or gloss to the story, no hint of actor-y flourishes in the deeply resonant performances. Just a lean, finely crafted, memorably real story announcing the presence of a major new filmmaking talent — and a young actor with the promise of limitless potential."
    Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
  • "As Margo, Kenadi DelaCerna absolutely shines in not only her first feature film but her first leading role as well."
    Alan Ng, Film Threat
  • "Haroula Rose’s feature film, Once Upon A River, features stunning performances and camerawork...."
    Danielle Solzman, Solzy at the Movies
  • "Once Upon a River—with a tremendous performance from Kenadi DelaCerna as Margo—enchants us in this simple but evocative coming-of-age tale. "
    Robert Daniels, 812 Film Reviews
  • "Once Upon A River highlights great talent both in front of and behind the camera."
    John Higgins, Film and TV Now
  • "Haroula Rose is an extraordinary talent."
    David Ferguson, Red Carpet Crash
Winner
Best Director
Bend Film Festival
Winner
Best Director
Boston Film Festival
Winner
Best Independent Film
Tallgrass Int'l. Film Festival
Winner
Best Narrative Feature
Gallup Film Festival
Winner
Best Actress
Gallup Film Festival
Winner
Best Film
Red Nation Film Festival
Winner
Best Director
Red Nation Film Festival
Official Selection
Outstanding Actor
Red Nation Film Festival
Nominated
Grand Jury Prize
Nashville Film Festival
Nominated
City and State Award
Chicago Int'l. Film Festival
Nominated
Jury Prize
Sarasota Film Festival
Nominated
WIFT Award
Thessaloniki Film Festival
Nominated
Maverick Award
Woodstock Film Festival
Nominated
Best Film
American Indian Film Festival
Official Selection
Bentonville Film Festival