July 12, 2009

Cahuilla bird-song documentary

Documentary on Cahuilla bird songs to debut in Idyllwild

By Gail Wesson Filmmaker Sean Owen had not heard Cahuilla bird songs before he began work on a documentary about a Cahuilla Indian performance artist who lives near Anza and sings the traditional social songs of Native Americans in Southern California.

After he finished that film in 2006, captivated by the songs, he decided to make another documentary through the voices of the Cahuilla tribal elders, educators and singers.

"Sing Birds: Following the Path of Cahuilla Power," will premiere at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Stephens Recital Hall at Idyllwild Arts Academy. The event is free and will be followed by a panel discussion.
Comment:  This is a fine example of Indian religion that doesn't involve vision quests or sweat lodges.

For more on the subject, see Native Documentaries and News.

Below:  "Sean Owen's documentary, 'Sing Birds: Following the Path of Cahuilla Power,' will premiere at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Stephens Recital Hall at Idyllwild Arts Academy.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A lil Hummingbird told me,This so called friend of the Cahuilla Stopped a Film being Produced for the Smithsonian in Washington DC by a bird singer, Alvino Siva. In his film that was about an ancient Cahuilla Eagle dance being Re-introduced after being opinionated about the quality of help he was getting. After advising Mr. Siva of his observation, Mr. Siva ended a novice native american film maker's relationship last April of this year. Instead of assisting Alvino, he just hindered what could have been a last man's wish to continue the eagle dance to the next generation, Instead... he left Alvino hanging , waiting for himself to release his film on primitive sounds? I guess its all science and business. He Knows what he has done. Good time to respectfully release a film ,after knowing who we just lost and feel about them. Shows A lot of Conciderate , Compassionate intentions that lasted as long as it did not interfere with his agenda. Condescending is the description I hear in the wind when "We" think of Owen.