Director and writer Carl Eubank has crafted a deeply personal film in Broke, which centers on the world of bareback bronc riding and the challenges that come with a fading rodeo career. Drawing from his own experience with horses and ranching, Eubank brings authenticity and intimacy to a genre that has long celebrated the rugged spirit of the American West.
In a candid conversation, Eubank shared the background that inspired the film, his experiences working with actors like Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid, and the deeper themes of struggle, redemption, and hope that are woven throughout the story.
A Life Around Horses
For Eubank, horses have always been a central part of his life.
“It’s something I’ve been doing since I was a little kid,” he explains. “My dad and mom always had horses and livestock. My family has done a lot of ranching over the years. We sadly don’t have big ranches anymore, but my great-granddad ran a ton of livestock in the Pacific Northwest. He even ran a ton of sheep out on the Aleutian Islands, which is pretty cool. I wish we still did that, but it just wasn’t in the cards.”
His upbringing shaped not only his understanding of rural life but also provided him with a deep connection to the rugged beauty of the West.
“I always had horses,” says Eubank. “My dad was a teamster, so he drove big teams for rodeos as part of the opening ceremonies or during rodeo performances. We’ve always been around it. Our neighbors are all ranchers, and we’d help them with branding and vaccinating.”
While his upbringing surrounded him with rodeo culture, Eubank emphasizes that it wasn’t the driving factor in writing Broke. Instead, it was his own existential questioning about his life’s direction and purpose that ultimately led him to this project.
“When I sat down to write the story, I was at a point in my life where I had big existential panic about what I was doing with my life, if I was making the right choices,” he reveals. “I guess my background just filled in the blanks. It wasn’t autobiographical. It was more about these big questions of purpose and transformation and accepting responsibility for our lives.”
The Sport of Bareback Bronc Riding
As for the focus on bareback bronc riding, Eubank’s admiration for the sport was clear from the start.
“I’ve always loved bareback,” he says. “I didn’t ride, but I’ve always loved it and respected it. I think it’s the most difficult and the most dangerous.”
The bareback riding in the film is more than just a sport—it’s a visual metaphor that resonates with the protagonist’s struggle.
“The movie is a lot about trying to hang on to something,” Eubank explains. “And how that thing just doesn’t want you to hang on. In bareback, it’s much more stripped down and kinetic. It just seemed more appropriate for what I was trying to accomplish.”
For Eubank, bareback riding offered a perfect visual metaphor for the emotional journey of the film’s central character, True Brandywine.
“It’s more intense and raw, and that seemed like the right fit for the story I wanted to tell,” he says.
Filming in a Blizzard
One of the film’s most intense moments occurs when True gets caught in a blizzard, which, according to Eubank, was not just part of the film’s plot, but also a very real challenge on set.
“We shot in February in Montana, and the local crew was very seasoned,” he recalls. “But for everyone flying in, it was definitely a rude awakening,” he says with a laugh. “It was -25°F with windchill, and the cameras would consistently shut down because the batteries would get too cold. Cars were going off the road, and the place we were shooting was about an hour from a small town, not even close to a big city.”
He recalls the real sense of exposure and isolation the crew faced.
“There was no cell service at all, and I think that made everyone a bit nervous,” says Eubank. “It really put the crew and the cast in this vulnerable space, but I was pretty comfortable with it. I don’t mind cold weather, so it felt like being in my element, which helped guide the production forward.”
Working with Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid
One of the highlights for Eubank was working with actors like Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid, who brought both passion and authenticity to their roles.
“Both Wyatt and Dennis were incredibly passionate about the project,” he says. “When you’re making a smaller film with limited resources, you need people who will give more than expected. Wyatt and Dennis did that in spades. Their passion made up for what we lacked in resources.”
Eubank emphasizes how well Russell fit into the world of Broke.
“Wyatt just felt organic to the world of the film,” he says. “He didn’t just look natural; he understood his character and really embraced the physicality of the role.”
He also praised Dennis Quaid.
“Dennis was great about looking to me, or to our cowboy experts on set, to get everything right. Whether it was the bull roping scene or shoeing a horse or fixing a fence, Dennis was all in.”
A Modern Take on the Western Genre
Broke stands out in its approach to the Western genre, offering a more intimate and contemplative perspective.
“I wanted to show the nuance of the world,” Eubank explains. “The cowboy art is important to me because it’s always been a huge part of our collective national identity. But I wanted to show that the West isn’t just about rugged individualism. There’s a sensitive and artistic side to the people who live this life.”
Eubank sees the Western genre as something that has been historically shaped by artists: writers, painters, and filmmakers.
“People have always depicted the West through art and literature, and I wanted to show that there are still cowboy artists who live authentic lives in the West today.”
By focusing on the vulnerability and the softer, more sensitive aspects of rodeo life, Eubank’s film invites viewers to reconsider traditional depictions of masculinity and strength.
“The movie shows that even those who do hard, tough things to their bodies can still have a sensitive side and an artistic drive,” he says.
A Message of Hope and Redemption
As for the message of Broke, Eubank is clear.
“I hope people are moved by it. The film is about hope—about overcoming your demons and taking responsibility for your life,” he says. “It’s about people struggling with their decisions, finding the right path, and becoming who they really are. It’s not always an easy journey, but it’s a positive one. I think it’s a movie that anyone can relate to, not just people living in rodeo culture.”
Now available, Broke was released on video on demand by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on May 6, 2025. Watch here.
This article about the Broke film appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Western Life Today magazine. Click here to subscribe!
