Native Film Talk

We don't see enough of ourselves in sports film and television. So I talk Basketball or Nothing (2019), Edge of America, Chiefs (2002), Off The Rez (Shoni Schimmel), and Smoke Signals.  Also I discuss why sports are so important to us as Natives. In addition our history with sports and how it was introduced to use through boarding/residential schools. Playing sports was no doubt a way to survive i...

I had a great chat with Majerle Lister, host of Wósdéé podcast!  I am a fan of his podcast and we had been kicking the can down the road for too long. We just linked up and did an episode! I'm so happy he came on because he brought thought provoking conversation.  Accurate Native representation is important but why now? Why is it all seem to be happening now? Is this going to become another form o...

Allie is many things, an activist, actor, writer, founder, etc. She's a leader and most recently founded Protect the Sacred. An organization founded to combat COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. With the many challenges that the Navajo Nation faced, we needed help and Allie saw a way to fill a void and just went for it. Time was not on our side with COVID-19 and the Navajo people so her quick action sa...

Mark is many things, he is an activist, educator, poet, and thought leader. He should also add badass to that list. Mark is an impressive individual who I look to for wisdom. While he is much younger than an elder, he brings the elder knowledge. I'm excited to bring you all this chat I had with him because I have been looking forward to having this chat. I would consider us friends, but if Mark as...

Ryker is one impressive guy. I have such respect for anyone who is willing to do anything to make themselves better. He is eager to learn, hungry for knowledge, and a Native stuntman/actor/cinematographer/writer/father/etc. Of all the great things he has done in his career, he's so humble and chill. I had a blast learning about Ryker's journey, work ethic, past projects, and future work. He is som...

Well well well...the diversity report shoes what we already knew. Natives are not present in Film and Television. However, how much does this matter when we're talking about the most viewed and highest grossing film and TV? Should Natives represent a large market share of that segment? Does it make sense for us to grow? Is there a legitimate case to be made when Natives make up approximately 1.3%...

Hey everybody! This was my first crack at a tv show and I thought I would do more free form than my usual format. I did my research and discussed the positives, negatives, and gave some final thoughts. Also I recorded a new intro!  Lou Diamond Phillips again!? Well I talk about it...and why it's tolerable but still not okay.  Zahn McLarnon and Irene Bedard are the prominent Native actors that grac...

Who expected to see a Native trading post destroyed in a post apocalyptic world? I sure didn't expect to see that when I saw this movie. That's why it's fun to talk about this native representation, because NO ONE is going to talk about this movie. I find that fascinating when it happens, because I'm positive every Native that saw this at the very least furrowed their eyebrows during destruction o...

This 2016 movie directed by Antoine Fuqua, better than most remakes. Frankly we're exhausted with remakes at this point. So it's refreshing to see one that comes out that's unique but also just a good stand alone movie. Thank god there isn't going to be a sequel too, can't stand it when remakes go and remake it but also extend the universe they created.  This movie brought us Martin Sensmeier! Thi...

Pilar Agoyo...wow! I never gave a thought to the costume and wardrobe department. After meeting and getting to know Pilar, I am going to pay EXTRA attention to the costume design, artistry, and craftsmanship. She blew my mind, opened my eyes to appreciate a whole new side of film/TV shows. Started her career as a seamstress for Into the West in 2005, when the TV show needed her in a pinch! She lov...

Reel Injun is one of a kind. This documentary eloquently and concisely presents the history of Native American representation in film, from the start to now.  Since the capability to record became available, Natives were on screen. There has been a fascination with Native people since colonization and this film delves into that fascination. Along the way, stereotypes were created and perpetuated i...

The Quick and the Dead! How the hell did this movie manage to get this much star power!? Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, and Jonothon Gill (Spotted Horse)!? Native actor that arguably has the most suspenseful gun fight in the film!  Combine a single elimination tournament with a spoof western, you get one of the best westerns of all time...yeah I went there!  This mov...

Can you believe it, episode 23! (Shoutout to Michael Jordan) I had to do the number justice and I feel like I did with this guest. Acee Agoyo is a co-founding member of Indianz.com and has been a journalist for the past 21 years. He is a Native man that saw a void in media coverage and jumped at the opportunity to fill it. I admire that tenacity and willingness to thrust yourself into that void, I...

I go on a 20 minute rant about pretendians. If you're not about that, I don't recommend you listen to this one, skip it until next week. As a rez kid, it hits me different than someone not from a rez, or not brown, or not accepted by their community, or not enrolled because of government bullsh*t. Truth is, the Native experience is so broad that the very concept of "Pretendians" hits different and...

A Native is acknowledge in the same world as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman! Not only acknowledged but freaking a demigod himself! Napi!  Come listen as I go over the plot review, Eugene Brave Rock's casting, filmography, and discuss Native representation in this film.  Wonder Woman is a fantastic film on its own and the Native represetnation is on point, while I have a few things to gripe abo...

Well well well...here we are episode 20! I had guest Natalie Benally on for this one and it was a fun chat!  She is an actor/filmmaker/community advocate/dancer/choreographer and the list goes on. Most important she is all around wholesome person and advocate for accurate representation of Natives on screen. I enjoyed talking with her about why it's hard to break into Hollywood when you don't have...

"There's something out there waiting for us...it ain't no man." Billy (Sonny Landham) died for our sins! I have a guest, my best friend Chris! We grew up quoting this movie so much with him and my other friends, who better than him to discuss this epic film. Plus he's Navajo and this is called...Native Film Talk. It's about time we get some Natives on here so discuss the film. Listen as we recap t...

Directed by Miranda De Pencier This 2018 film is based on the actual Grizzlies from 2005. A community that had the highest suicide rate in North America, glommed onto the game of Lacrosse. Introduced to them by a non-Native outsider Russ Sheppard. He uses the game to distract the students from their reality but also to teach them about becoming a community and not just teammates. This movie is THE...

This 1992 movie is based on real events. Director Michael Apted also releaded Incident At Oglala, which can be a companion film to this movie, as they overlap so much.  While this is a fictional tale, it is 100% inspired by true events. There are many parallels from the American Indian Movement, involvement of the Tribal Chairperson with the U.S. Government, Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs),...

I had a fantastic conversation with Jay. Safe to say, he's invited to any cookout, pow wow, potluck, etc. Jay is a real one, he stuck his neck out for a message that he knew needed to be told.  That message is Charlene Teters' story from her time as a graduate student at the University of Illinois, and her opposition of the school mascot, Chief Illiniwek.  Jay is a special individual that is truly...

The legendary, unparalleled, prolific, powerful, and all around amazing person...Charlene Teters.  We briefly discuss the documentary, In Whose Honor, but mostly deep dive into Charlene's time at the University of Illinois and her experience being an advocate for changing the name. Charlene discusses her evolution from being a shy girl that stayed quiet about her opinions on the Native mascot to b...

Oh Jeez! This 1996 Coen Brothers film, Fargo depicts a tale of greed, self-sabotage, and authentic life in North Dakota. (Especially the accent) While Shep Proudfoot (Steve Reevis) was only on screen for a few minutes in the film, he managed to become an iconic character in the collection of Coen Brothers films. Most famous for the epic beating he gives to Steve Buscemi.  While he doesn't wear war...

This 2017 film based on the book written by Richard Wagamese tells the story of Saul Indian Horse. The story follows his life through residential school in Canada, his journey playing hockey, the racism associated with the game, and reconciling with the pain of his past.  Overall, this a powerful tale that NEEDED to be told and was told the right way, with Natives playing Saul Indian Horse and spe...

This is me looking back at the podcast thus far. Eleven episodes in, how do I feel about where things lie? Where do I see the show going? How do I choose a movie to review?  "Ian you're Native, what are your thoughts on Thanksgiving?" "I suggested movies/tv to you, when are you going to review my recommendations?!"  "Do you ever read what I send?" Last and most important...How can Native film lear...

HISTORY! Wes Studi joins an amazing list of Honorary Award winners like Robert Redford, Spike Lee, Charlie Chaplan, Akira Kurosawa, James Earl Jones, and the list goes on! These people are recognized for significant achievements in their craft, over an entire career.  Wes trailblazed an impressive career where he amazed and dazzled audiences with roles like Toughest Pawnee in Dances with Wolves, M...