Coyote Funeral

A film by Jason May

It 's a hell of a ride from Beaumont to El Paso, but Casey Cannon (Jono Young) sees that tall green Texas road sign as a challenge and sets out on foot to cross the giant state of Texas from border to border. Casey walks to block out the pain of discovering his mother's affair and to find a way to tell his older brother Dustin the truth. Dustin Cannon (Zach Freeman) can only drop his head and follow: his younger brother needs looking out for. Together with Nancy Kate (Korrine Salas ) a girl they pick up along the road, the brothers travel from the flatlands over the marshes of the East through the Hill Country to the desolate plateaus and desert of the West, taking on every bull ride, barbecue, and bar fight along the way. Shot along the highways and back roads of the Lone Star State as well as at Gruene Hall, one of Texas's most storied dancehalls, Coyote Funeral makes Texas as much a character as a setting. Whether or not Casey and Dustin make it to El Paso will depend less on braving the elements than surviving each other.


The film itself is very enjoyable and is best compared to a road movie, however instead of the usual cars or bikes, this time it is all done walking. What might seem a bit boring (after all walking over 800 miles isn't something you should call exiting) is refreshingly enjoyable. The film goes from one scene to another gently accompanied with a plethora of great roots and country music. The music at one time nicely introduced as background music, sometimes wild and rocking during a live gig, is certainly adding a lot to the film. However don't underestimate the underlying story.



Casey, traumatized about discovering his mom in bed with some other guy, leaves the house, never to return. However after a while he ends up with his brother who has some household problems of his own. Dustin's girlfriend seems to have lost all interest in him in favour of another guy, something Dustin just can't get to grips with.
The two set out for a reunion with their mom. Casey decides to walk and Dustin can only follow. It is Casey who needs to recover from what he has seen, but in the mean time Dustin has to discover the truth about himself and his ex lover.


The combination of the "lone star state" landscape matches wonderful with the soundtrack that features such names as Cooder Graw, Blake Powers, Blue Edmonson, Cross Canadian Ragweed and a dozen of other great artists. For a complete list of artists, songs, actors or simply for more info go to CoyoteFuneral.com.

The film isn't be available yet, but with some luck you can catch the trailer or listen to some tunes.

Mr Blue Boogie


Added : 10/11/2006