In The Rider, the hardscrabble economy of America’s rodeo country, where, for some, riding and winning is the only source of pleasure and income, is depicted with exceptional compassion and truth by Chloé Zhao. On the evening of its New York Film Festival premiere, the director talked about the beauty of the South Dakota landscape, the journey of her characters, and the homecoming of presenting a film in New York.

The Rider plays again on Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets here. To see more events from the 55th New York Film Festival, as well as Film Society events throughout the year, subscribe to our YouTube channel!