White Sands film fest honors Studi

White Sands film fest honors Studi

Focus on cultural issues becoming common in films

By Elva K. ÖsterreichAs an event that began in Alamogordo as a germ of an idea and spread, it outgrew its home county and now has become a coveted weekend in Las Cruces.

The White Sands International Film Festival has celebrated another year of success as socially relevant films have become a focus.

This year, taking home the lifetime achievement award, Santa Fe resident and actor Wes Studi spent time with the WSIFF audiences following a recent film of his, "The Only Good Indian."

Fresh off the set of "Avatar," Studi chose to work on the little-known "The Only Good Indian" because it touched a place in his heart.

The film follows classic Western style and is set with the backdrop of one of the "Indian schools," which Native American children were required to attend to make them more like white people.

"What struck me when I decided to do this, is I am Cherokee and I know people who have been very much affected with the ideas of coming along to government-based schools," Studi said. "You are affected by the teaching of the school itself. The goal is to change the Indian into something he is not."Comment:  For more on the subject, see Runningwater Interviews Studi and Studi Challenges Stereotypical Roles.

Below:  "Actor Wes Studi is recognized with a lifetime achievement award." (Elva K. sterreich/Daily News)

The Only Good Indian interviews

On Native Ground's report on "The Only Good Indian"



Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Only Good Indian = History Lesson and The Best Indian Movies.

The Only Good Indian = history lesson

Film Review:  The Only Good IndianFilmmaker Kevin Willmott, a Kansas film professor, gives us a history lesson here. A fictional distillation of the U.S. government's attempt to assimilate American Indians into white culture, "The Only Good Indian" is well-suited for cultural anthropology classes, university video series and festival settings.

Unfortunately, its wobbly and preachy dramatic narrative diminishes its power. We're getting a lecture here in skimpy dramatic clothing. The most powerful social statements in dramatic film, of course, are those that seek to entertain first without showing their editorial seams; "In the Heat of the Night," is a glowing example.

This well-meaning and intelligent Sundance entrant lacks the storytelling finesse to do this woeful historical injustice the wider appeal it deserves.And:There are patches where the storytelling is actually entertaining thanks largely to the talents of the cast members. Studi's subtle and conflicted performance is the film's highlight, ably amplified by Frank's appealing turn as the young boy stricken by a chauvinistic Christian culture.

Director Willmott deserves commendation for assembling such a wide-span story on an obviously limited budget; however, the monotony of his shot compositions, stiff cadence and tedious pacing detract from the film's message. Occasionally, there are John Ford homages with skyscapes and silhouettes, but ultimately this one is just too much by-the-book, aesthetically and thematically.Comment:  I was afraid of this.

I've posted a few glowing reports about this movie. Some people may have confused "important subject matter" with "compelling storytelling."

It's too bad filmmakers don't pass their scripts by me before they film them. We'd have better Native-themed movies if they did. <g>

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.

Native films at 2009 Sundance

Native American film premieres at SundanceWounded Knee
Producer Stanley Nelson

On the night of February 27, 1973, a caravan of cars carrying 200 armed Oglala Lakota-led by American Indian Movement (AIM) activists-entered Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation and quickly occupied buildings, cut off access, and took up defensive positions. When federal agents arrived, they declared, "The Indians are in charge of the town," and a 71-day standoff ensued. Compiling an astonishing amount of archival film footage (notable for the key moments it captures) and firsthand accounts from participants, Stanley Nelson creates an immersive, comprehensive account of the occupation and its fascinating complexity.

Barking Water
Producer Sterlin Harjo

Before Oklahoma was a red state, it was known as the Land of the Red People, described by the Choctaw phrase Okla Humma. In his sophomore film, Sterlin Harjo takes viewers on a road trip through his own personal Oklahoma, which includes an eclectic mix of humanity. Irene and Frankie have a difficult past, but Frankie needs Irene to help him with one task. He needs to get out of the hospital and go home to his daughter and new grandbaby to make amends. Irene had been his one, true, on-again, off-again love until they parted ways for good. But to make up for the past, Irene agrees to help him in this trying time.

The Only Good Indian
Producer Kevin Willmott

With this outstanding revisionist western, Kevin Willmott stakes out new territory in a genre that seemed completely settled. Fancifully configuring the symbols of the genre, he creates a fascinating parable of American history. At the outset, young Nachwihiata lives a peaceful existence with his agrarian family until a band of white marauders attacks their homestead. They forcibly remove him and take him to a white Christian boarding school, where Native children are assimilated into the dominant culture. Renamed Charlie, he chafes under the lie of his new identity and, before long, runs away. He's soon captured by bounty hunter Sam Franklin, an assimilated Indian who now only aspires to round up other Indians for reward money.

Patrick Shining Elk in two world premieres at Sundance
By Standing Elk Entertainment

Native American veteran actor Patrick D. Shining Elk will make two world premiere film appearances at the Sundance Film Festival, January 15-25, 2009 in Park City Utah. Sundance 2009 appearances for Shining Elk include his character as "Gary," one of the "Mission Boyz" in Peter Bratt's film "La Mission" starring Benjamin Bratt, and as "Martin Two Spirit" in Kevin Willmott's "The Only Good Indian" starring Wes Studi.

"La Mission" is a haunting story of healing and transformation: the healing of a broken man, of a father's relationship with his son, and of a neighborhood struggling to break the chains of violence.Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.

The Only Good Indian trailer

Comment:  The story appears to go like this:

Native boy gets lassoed and taken to boarding school. Is forced to work but not to cut his hair. Runs away to return home. Is pursued by Wes Studi the bounty hunter.

But when a white gunslinger tries to kill the boy, Studi turns and defends him. Gets in touch with his Native roots, which he's ignored. Gunslinger chases Studi and boy, leading to a final showdown between the two men. Someone dies.

Offhand, I'd say The Only Good Indian looks good but not great. We'll see how it plays eventually.

For more on the subject, see Great Film in the Making? and Filming The Only Good Indian.

The Only Good Indian at Sundance

KU professor is returning to SundanceThe latest feature from Lawrence-based moviemaker Kevin Willmott is going to Sundance.

“The Only Good Indian,” a drama filmed in Kansas and starring Cherokee actor Wes Studi, has been accepted to January’s film festival in Park City, Utah.

It’s the second time in four years that a film by Willmott and producer Rick Cowan has played Sundance. In 2005 their “C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America” was screened there, receiving a rave review and given theatrical bookings around the country.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” Willmott, an assistant professor in the University of Kansas film department, said of his movie’s Sundance berth. “From the very beginning the goal was to tell these stories we think are important while making the films relevant to what’s happening today. You try to speak to people, particularly young people, in a way they can connect to.”Comment:  C.S.A. tackled the issue of slavery in an entertaining but flawed way. I hope The Only Good Indian is better.

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.