Native Film Talk

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% of the population in the US? Well let's talk about it...I think it depends but I believe the answer is "Yes" more than it is "No."

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 grace the first season and I'm here for it. Despite my desire to dislike this show, it's a great show with solid Native representation. This show talks about MMIW, ICWA issues, Blood Quantum issues, and even Native witchcraft (YEEHUH!)

Overall, it's a show that covers a lot of ground, looks into the world of the modern native but only touches on the surface. Should you dislike it for it only going surface? No because that's not what the show is about, for what it is...it's great.

Let me know what you all think and have a good one.

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 of the Trading Post.

Did you know it was NOT a real trading post? They made this up at a empty warehouse in Georgia! So I talk about commercialization of Native culture/art, brief history of trading posts in Indian Country, what the Director said about this scene, and why I ultimately give it a pass.

Listen as I skip the positives and negatives for once, just dive right into the plot review and give some final thoughts. Let me know what you all think!

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! This was his breakout film and he went on to have roles in West World, The Liberator, and Wind River! He's a hell of an actor that did a killer job in this movie.

While some stuff was problematic in this, overall the Native representation is better than it has been. So I recommend checking this one out. Listen to me discuss the positives, negatives, and also why I believe Jonathan Joss's character looks like he's straight out of an Edward Curtis photograph.

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 loved her time working on the show, made such an impression, and kept working. Sixteen (16) years later Pilar has amassed an impressive body of work that goes from television shows to movies.

Pilar is one of the most impressive individuals you'll ever hear from, she has story after story but also her work is impeccable. She has done work on films such as The Avengers (Yeah no kidding), 3:10 to Yuma, Paul, Indian Jones and the Crystal Skull, and most recently on the TV show Roswell. She is killing it and I had a great chat with her. Enjoy, subscribe, and let me know what you think. Have a good one!

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 in film. These stereotypes framed mindsets and opinions about who Native people were, to non-Native people. What blows my mind is it also frames the minds of Native people. Misrepresentation in film and television influence how we as Native people see even ourselves. The film documents experiences and perspectives from people like Clint Eastwood, John Trudell, Adam Beach, and Chris Eyre. While referencing movies like The Searchers, Dances with Wolves, Stagecoach, The Fast Runner, and Dance Me Outside. Listen as we discuss how awesome this documentary is and why it is so important.

Ever since I met the hosts of Twindigenous, we wanted to review a movie together. Reel Injun resonates so much with us that we wanted to take the time to discuss this one, so glad we did! Listen as chat about how much we love this documentary and how powerful it is a film.

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 movie was an homage to the western drama while being an exaggeration of all the classic western characters. Cowboy with no name, person who sleeps on dynamite, villian who runs the town out of fear, and the man sworn to never killing again. Among of these was the Native! Can't pay respect to the western genre without a Native. How did this movie do? Overall, it's better than the western genre as a whole but it fell flat at times. Listen as I explore the representation, positive and negative. Enjoy!

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 attempt to do that with my podcast.

Listen to this interview as we discuss Native representation in mainstream media, how that is influenced by representation in news. Also he describes the landscape of Native film and television over the past 21 years, how it has changed in many ways but also stayed the same in others. I had a great chat with a great mind, hope you all enjoy!

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 means different things for everyone. So if you're interested to hear one Native person's perspective, listen in.

The news about Michelle Latimer is just another one in the long line of people who claim indigenous ancestry as heritage. Johnny Depp, Elizabeth Warren, Val Kilmer, Iron Eyes Cody, and the list goes on. Why does this keep happening?! Why do we continue to see it happening? How can we have a productive conversation without ostracizing our own people and making them feel less than?! Such a delicate issue that exemplifies that checking the box is more than just checking the box. The consequences are grave and run deep.

I also talk about Clubhouse, my upcoming YouTube videos, Yellowstone 1883, Trickster, Wild Indian at Sundance, and talk about being featured on a Natives React video!!!

Have a good one everybody.

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 about...overall it's a solid film. Listen as I talk about why Eugene Brave Rock was the perfect person for this role! While his speaking roles are limited, he killed this role. Enjoy!