Cowgirl
Krishaun Adair paved her own way in the rodeo world as both a competitor and host, and now she is showing her daughter what it means to be a cowgirl.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Chase Musslewhite
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Born and bred in Texas, I’ve grown up riding horses and around rodeo culture for as long as I can remember, and I have always wanted to showcase aspects of this lifestyle in my films. I have also always found the theories and stereotypes about Texas not only comical, but reflective of a greater lack of diverse information on Texan culture.
Particularly, within the realm of rodeo culture, I’ve always been deeply interested in cowgirls. While growing up, there was only one type of cowgirl that I ever saw on TV - someone like Annie Oakley. We didn’t really show up in Western movies beyond a love interest for cowboys, and we haven’t since shown up in modern films either. This directly conflicts with the vast range of cowgirls I grew up around and still see today.
With my film, I wanted to showcase a true modern cowgirl on screen while simultaneously highlighting a particular rodeo culture that many people know little about.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think Krishaun Adair, the lead in the short film, puts it well within minutes of viewing. She states, “Everyone has their perception of what they think a cowboy looks like… and they rarely look like me.” Cowgirls and even more so, cowgirls of color, are rarely portrayed in the media at all, nor do many people realize they form a vibrant and large part of our rodeo culture. For that reason alone, I think everyone should watch this film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the idea of a cowgirl is interesting because it is simultaneously deeply personal, but also extremely universal. While someone's idea of a cowgirl may simply be a woman who rides horses, trail rides, or rodeos, it is actually much more universal.
For Krishaun at least, being a cowgirl is a mentality and, more than anything, a way of life. Anyone, even someone who’s never sat atop a horse, could in fact claim and identify as such. A cowgirl is simply any woman who knows how to persevere and get things done, who’s not afraid to go after what she wants, and who is willing to conquer unknown territory. “Cowgirlness”, as we call it, can be universally relatable for any woman out there, and the film seeks to explore these themes of female entrepreneurship, bravery, and independence. Beyond this, themes of motherhood as well as creating a family through community ring loud in the film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Originally, I wanted to follow three to four unique cowgirls, and I had a different plan entirely for the film. I spent the summer researching different prominent cowgirls in the Houston area and made a special note of ones with daughters. I reached out to newspapers and journalists for contact information for some of the women I was reading about, to no avail. I almost gave up on the project when I kept coming to dead ends.
As a last-ditch effort, I started driving across Harris County to local barns and cold-calling numbers I found on rodeo flyers. Finally, I got my first answer. Turns out, the cell number I found listed as a contact for a three-year-old flyer was none other than Krishaun Adair herself, the very first person at the top of my list! We were both floored and excited, and it felt beyond right to continue the project with just Krishaun and her family. From there, I let her story carry the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I’ve received positive feedback on the film thus far. Mainly in the form of pure interest in this world and just a desire to sit back and observe. Many viewers were not privy to these types of grassroots rodeos before or knew about the vast array of cowboys and cowgirls that are out there, which is a huge part of why I wanted to make this film.
I’ve also received some desire to know even more about Krishaun, her family, and this world. I plan to use this short as a springboard to develop a feature-length film to fill this desire that most of my audience members have voiced an interest in.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I would say the feedback has reinforced my point of view. Or, reinforced the belief I have that many people are ignorant of the diverse culture, communities, and women we have down here in Texas.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am excited to have Cowgirl highlighted on www.wearemovingstories.com as the film is just now starting its festival circuit, with its premiere at Seattle International Film Festival, and making its way to a larger audience. Our goal with the film is to open up people’s understanding of the diversity of Texan culture and while doing so, highlight a group of women who make up a core backbone of this rodeo community. With more visibility, we can start changing perspectives and points of view and open up conversations about stereotypes and how to break them.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Right now, I am really looking for all of the above. The goal with Cowgirl is to have a full festival run, both nationally and internationally, as well as showcase the project to an even larger audience via an online publication. To do that, we need film festival directors, sales agents, buyers, distributors, and journalists who are interested in this message, story, and film to come on board.
Also as mentioned, I plan to turn this project into a feature-length film and I am looking for producers who would be interested to come on board for both the distribution of the short and the development of the feature. I think there is a lot more to this story than the 15-minute film we have just finished, and both Krishaun and I would love to flesh out a full rodeo circuit film that follows her and her daughter competing across the USA throughout one summer.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The goal for me and Krishaun with this film is really to expand awareness and bring attention to cowgirls and different rodeo communities in general. We both believe when the common public thinks of a rodeo or a cowboy, they have a specific image comes to mind. Not only is this grossly misrepresentative of the communities riding out there now, but it actually isn't even reflective of the first cowboys and cowgirls who ever came to be. We hope this film is the start of changing that notion.
With more awareness, there is also the possibility of more media, more funding, and all-around more opportunity for different types of rodeo competitors and rodeo goers.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
A key question I would ask an audience member is - did you know this vibrant rodeo community existed, and if not, why do you think that is? I think a big point of this film is to simply yet beautifully welcome unknown patrons into this world and have them question their own stereotypes or previous ways of thinking.
Would you like to add anything else?
You can keep up to date with the film via Instagram - @cowgirlthefilm - in order to look out for opportunities to see the film! With the upcoming festival, even if you aren’t available to attend Seattle in person, the festival offers virtual screening opportunities for all of its films, so check it out!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Chase Musslewhite, the director, is currently in post-production on a narrative short, A Woman Is Many Things, Just Fine Isn’t One of Them, which explores themes of motherhood and letting go. Apart from this, she is in development for both Cowgirl the documentary feature as well as a narrative feature set at her high school.
Interview: May 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Cowgirl
Krishaun Adair paved her own way in the rodeo world as both a competitor and host, and now she is showing her daughter what it means to be a cowgirl.
Length: 15:12
Director: Chase Musslewhite
Producer: Chase Musslewhite
Writer: Krishaun Adair
About the writer, director and producer:
CHASE MUSSLEWHITE is a Texan filmmaker currently based in Austin, TX. Chase has co-directed and co-produced several shorts that have taken her across the globe from Cannes to Amsterdam to Sheffield for various festivals. She has also directed many commercials for various fashion, make-up, and lifestyle brands. Creatively, Chase focuses on female-driven narratives at pivotal points in women’s lives.
KRISHAUN ADAIR is a third-generation Texas cowgirl hailing from a long line of trail riders, calf ropers, and barrel racers. Not only is Krishaun a barrel racer herself, but she is also a competitive steer undecorator, rodeo promoter, and agricultural inspector. Krishaun shares a glimpse into what it’s like to be a modern Texas cowgirl in her last collaborative short film with director Chase Musslewhite.
Key cast: Krishaun, Kinley, and Curtis Adair
Looking for: distributors, buyers, sales agents, film festival directors and journalists
Instagram: @cowgirlthefilm
Website: www.chasemusslewhite.com
Funders: Austin Film Society
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Seattle International Film Festival - Friday, May 12, 2023 - SIFF Cinema Uptown 3:45pm
Seattle International Film Festival - Monday, May 22 - Monday, May 29, 2023 - Online streaming available