Today, I’m diving into the world of independent documentary filmmaking with two talented directors, Dan Lior and Noam Azouz, who have recently collaborated on a captivating new project, “Yeehaw Boy.” This documentary explores the unique and intriguing lives of those living the cowboy lifestyle at the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary. I’m excited to discuss their backgrounds, inspirations, and the creative process behind this fascinating film. Enjoy!
Krysta: Can you tell me a little more about your background in documentary production? Is “Yeehaw Boy” in the scope of projects that you normally work on?
Dan: I got into filmmaking at the age of 29. Over the next few years, I experimented with my camera, trying to find the direction I wanted to take. Going into the documentary, everything happened pretty organically. Once I knew how to use a camera, I was drawn to telling stories that interested and inspired me but that path solidified once I relocated to the US to fully start telling stories that fascinated me. I grew up watching a lot of American films and TV. What really interested me was the cultural fabric and how varied the population and different states were. Pairing that with the United States’ interesting and eventful history made me curious about the stories that I may be able to tell. Once I relocated to the US I began looking for those stories and making the transition fully into documentary work.
Noam: In the summer of 2019 I set off to Alaska, alone, to travel and learn about self-sufficiency from people who live in off-grid homesteads. I brought a camera with me just for fun, but I ended up creating my first documentary “Northbound” after being inspired by the people, the landscapes of Alaska, and fell in love with filmmaking. Ever since, my focus has been on telling stories from around the world, with a special focus on the American West, and so the story of Jess Oldham and the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary, as well as the Double D Ranch, was right up my alley.
Krysta: Where did this idea for “Yeehaw Boy” originally come from?
Dan: The idea came from Noam. I’ve been working with Noam for several years after seeing her first film, which left a very strong impression on me. When I first started as a filmmaker, I had no network, no creative environment, and little help from the people I approached. So, when I recognized that Noam had a lot of potential, I started working with her to develop her filmmaking and storytelling skills. Like me, she was just one of those people who would pick up a camera and go create a film on a subject that interested her.
To further develop her skills, I suggested that we find a project to work on together. This way, she can learn my workflow through our collaboration. She was following the Wild Horse Sanctuary on Instagram and reached out to them asking if they would be willing to work together on a film.
Krysta: What is your role in the creative process for putting this documentary together?
Dan: During pre-production and filming, we were the only ones involved, so we took on all the production roles. We produced, researched, wrote, directed, filmed, and edited the film together. You can only work that intensely with someone you are perfectly synced up with. That’s Noam. I call her half-brain because she completes me creatively
Noam: We both took on all aspects of production together. As Dan mentioned, he calls me half-brain, which at first I thought was an insult meaning I only have half a brain, but of course, he meant that our brains work well together. It is rare to find a person who you work great with and who understands your vision.
Krysta: With the popularity of the show, Yellowstone, the interest in the Western way of life has skyrocketed. Where does this documentary play a role in that in your opinion?
Dan: In all honesty, I have yet to watch Yellowstone. It’s definitely on my list, and I’m bound to watch it at some point in the near future. But a lot of people who’ve seen our film said that it’s “a real-life Yellowstone.” I think people these days fantasize about this type of lifestyle. There’s so much chaos and high-stress news that people are reminiscing about an older, slower pace of life that is more in tune with nature.
Noam: I enjoyed the show “Yellowstone” very much, and my interest in this lifestyle started at a pretty young age. For a few years during my childhood, my family and I lived in Montana. I remember my parents taking me to rodeos and horse back riding. Ever since we left Montana, I have missed many aspects of those experiences so I’m happy to see that with the rise of shows such as Yellowstone, people are starting to see beauty in a more simple way of life.
Krysta: What do you hope viewers come away with feeling or knowing after watching “Yeehaw Boy”?
Dan: In every film I work on, my goal is always to transport the viewer to where the film takes place and immerse them in the life and surroundings of the story being told. While filming “Yeehaw Boy,” I could see how incredibly fulfilling and romantic Jess’s life was. At times, I fantasized about how I could leave everything behind and live the same type of life.
Noam: The cowboy lifestyle is definitely romanticized by many, and for good reason, but we also wanted the viewer to get a glimpse of the daily challenges on the ranch, and how these challenges do not contrast with the endless beauty and rewards of ranching, especially in a place like Wind River. Jess and his family are a great example of humble and hard-working people. These are the type of people that I look up to, and I hope the viewers leave this film with the same sense of awe.
Krysta: Do you have anything else in the works that viewers/readers should know about?
Noam and I are working to return to Wyoming and the Wind River reservation. We have a few more stories to tell. We are also working towards opening a small production company to cater to clients who want to have their stories told in the same fashion we created “Yeehaw Boy”.
Dan’s Closing Thoughts
The world is such a polarizing place right now. It seems everyone is out to get anyone who doesn’t agree with them. It’s a shame because we’re capable of so much more. Some people benefit from turning us against each other. And it’s so easy to forget that we’re all alike. We all just want to live our lives. What we keep failing to understand is that each person is an entire universe with thoughts, feelings, and stories. If we took a moment to learn each other’s stories, the world would be a better place. This is why I tell stories: to bring people together.
About the Film
Jess Oldham is a young man living a life reminiscent of a past era. He considers himself a “Yeehaw Boy”. For Jess, “Yeehaw” is more than just a saying—it’s a philosophy. It means embracing an “all work, no bullshit” approach to everything that life throws at you.
“Yeehaw Boy” is a tribute to the unsung heroes who keep us all comfortably clothed and fed, making our lives possible. In this world, resilience, grit, and an unyielding spirit embody the very essence of “Yeehaw.”
Directed & Filmed by – Dan Lior & Noam Azouz
Edited by – Noam Azouz, Dan Lior & Dor Ohayon
Sound Design & Mix – Nir Shor
Color Grading – Imri Agmon
Vfx – Andrzej Lewkowicz
Music by
Christian Wallowing Bull – StrongHeart
Christian Wallowing Bull – Sweetgrass on my dash
Tiko Tiko – All in Forever
Connect with the Directors
Dan Lior
- DanLior.com
- Instagram @dan_lior
Noam Azouz
- Instagram @noamsol_
