Pure Grit (2021) Intro by Sharmaine Weed | IU Cinema | Apr. 15, 2023

On April 15, 2023, IU Cinema screened Pure Grit (dir. Kim Bartley, 2021), which was preceded by this special virtual introduction from Sharmaine Weed, the subject of the film.
Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of young horse racer Sharmaine Weed, a Shoshone woman from Wyoming's Wind River reservation, the documentary tells her story of reigning as a riding champion, surviving child abuse, and navigating a complex relationship with her girlfriend, Savannah.

[@blackhemisphere247]

You are really doing this. You exposed yourself to the world and the universe is behind you. Your sexuality is your own personal life and you are not beholden to anyone about it. The damage you’ve been through is enough to make anyone falter and run to substance abuse, but you’re not going to give up. Thank you for your story and your and the weed clan’s grittiness in the face of the modern world.

[@judithense705]

I just found you and some info to your documentary. Thank you very much. Could you tell me where I find these horse racing. Wishing you the best...

[@nolanbowen8800]

Sharmaine, are you Star Weed's granddaughter? I met him at the Eastern Idaho State Fair a few years ago. He was wearing a WWII cap and told me he'd fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Germans took him prisoner. One day one of our tanks broke through the prison camp. He threw his arms in the air and exclaimed, "I was free!" It made a deep impression on me.