September 13, 2006

NativeVue debuts

New Webzine Keeps it Live, Informative and EntertainingMost people, when asked what they know about Native American films will tell you Dances With Wolves or maybe a TNT western. Even those familiar with Native cinema have difficulty accessing information on movies, actors and directors, as well as finding out where they can actually see their favorite films.

Premiered this month, NativeVue Film & Media (www.nativevue.org) is a new online magazine dedicated to cultivating an interest in Native American cinema by featuring North America’s most innovative indigenous filmmakers and performers. The webzine includes feature articles, bloggers from the publishing, radio, and film industries, and a discussion forum—all with the purpose to communicate what’s out there, who’s doing it, and why it’s important.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"From personal experience as a film writer who is Native, I have had my own encounters with 'Native cinema' and while I have not run into very much of it, some matters have has been downright discouraging."~~Writerfella

Russ, where I certainly agree that much of what is being produced by fledgling Native filmmakers isn't always quality, at least there's MORE of it being produced nowadays. After all, a lot of ALL cinema sucks, if you really think about it.

What we hope to do at our site is to shine a light on what is out there~~yes, often it will be mediocre, some obviously produced by beginners. But it's truly a marketplace of ideas and creativity, and that's what we're cultivating.

Rob said...

The Supreme Court overturned the American Indian Religious Freedom Act? My initial thought is...mm, I don't think so. The Supreme Court may have ruled against Indians in cases brought under AIRFA, but that's a different matter.

The Hopi have talked about copyrighting or trademarking their intellectual property. When Navajos make kachina-like dolls and pass them off as genuine Hopi products, I tend to sympathize. When I write stories that mention Hopi people, places, and things, my sympathy tends to evaporate.

We can applaud the efforts of everyone to make more Native films while also deploring the continued use of stale, cliched, and stereotypical elements. Perhaps everyone should check with me before undertaking a major Native motion picture. I'll be glad to set them straight about what does and doesn't work.

Rob said...

"That fits in best with the idea of the First Amendment that Congress should act with neutrality in religious matters."

Unfortunately (for this position), the First Amendment says the government shall not do anything to establish any religion. It does not say it can establish religion as long as it's neutral between religions.

If you disagree, read the text and tell me where it says Congress can do something, anything, to establish religion in any way, shape, or form.

Rob said...

Yes, the hands-off implication is quite strong, which is why Jefferson spoke of the wall between church and state. In other words, the government can't do anything to establish or prohibit the establishment of religion. This is markedly different from establishing a selection of religions (usually Christianity and Judaism, not Wicca or Santeria) and being "neutral" between them. There's no such thing as neutrality unless you literally allow every single expression of religion on government property.

Our government hasn't done this and will never do it because it would violate the sensibilities of our God-fearing Christian majority. You'll never see government-sponsored Devil worship even if it's just as rational as God worship. Therefore, no religion is the correct solution--the solution that preserves everyone's rights equally.