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Coming of Age in the Dust: A Feminist Rebellion Rooted in Earth
29.04.2025, 20:57 by Mosha
July Rising (2019), directed by Brooke Sebold, is a quietly powerful coming-of-age drama that unfolds in the dusty orchards of California’s Central Valley. It follows 16-year-old Andy (Allyson Haselton), a fiercely independent teen who inherits her late grandfather’s peach farm and must navigate not only the physical demands of the land but also the tangled expectations of the adults around her—particularly those rooted in small-town patriarchy.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its authenticity. Everything about Andy feels real: her awkwardness, her stubborn pride, her longing to carve out space for herself in a world that constantly tries to box her in. Haselton’s performance is understated but deeply affecting; she doesn’t play Andy as precocious or angsty, but as someone still learning how to wield her strength. She doesn’t always make the “right” choices, but she makes real ones.
Sebold’s direction is observational, sometimes even detached, allowing scenes to breathe and characters to show themselves in subtle ways. The pacing is gentle but deliberate, reflecting the rhythms of both adolescence and rural life. There's no over-scoring, no melodramatic editing—just an unvarnished look at a girl growing up under the weight of inherited expectations and her own quiet rage.
What sets July Rising apart from other coming-of-age films is its feminist core. It doesn’t preach, but it reveals—how men speak over women, how desire and danger blur, how even well-meaning adults can fail young women by forcing them to shrink themselves. The film doesn't offer neat resolutions, and that’s part of its truth: growing up, especially as a girl in a man’s world, is messy and unfinished.
While it may fly under the radar for mainstream audiences, July Rising is an intimate and timely film, offering a raw portrait of a young woman trying to claim ownership—not just of land, but of her body, voice, and future.
"July Rising" (2019) is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama that explores themes of self-discovery, grief, and personal growth. The story follows a young protagonist navigating the complexities of family dynamics, friendship, and first love during a transformative summer. The film captures the emotional nuances of adolescence with sincerity and sensitivity, supported by strong performances from its young cast. The characters feel authentic and relatable, making their journeys resonate on a personal level. Visually, July Rising uses warm, natural lighting and scenic outdoor settings to evoke the nostalgic and bittersweet tone of summer and change. The pacing is gentle, allowing moments of quiet reflection alongside more dramatic turning points, which may appeal to viewers who enjoy character-driven stories. Overall, July Rising is a tender and engaging drama that effectively portrays the challenges and beauty of growing up and finding one’s place in the world.