Reel Injun (2009)

The history of the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films.

Directors:

Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge,

Writers:

Catherine Bainbridge (screenplay), Jeremiah Hayes (screenplay)

Stars:

Adam Beach, R. Michael David, Clint Eastwood

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Adam Beach	...	Himself
R. Michael David	...	Himself
Clint Eastwood	...	Himself
Chris Eyre	...	Himself
Charlie Hill	...	Himself
Jim Jarmusch	...	Himself
Sacheen Littlefeather	...	Herself
Russell Means	...	Himself
Rod Rondeaux	...	Himself
John Trudell	...	Himself
Jesse Wente	...	Himself

Storyline

A documentary about the evolution of the depiction of First Nations people in film, from the silent era to today. Featuring clips from hundreds of films, candid interviews with famous Native and non-Native directors, writers and actors, Reel Injun traces how the image of First Nations people in cinema have influenced the understanding and misunderstanding of their culture and history.

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Plot Keywords:

native | actor | cinema | native american | hollywood | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hollywood-Indianer

Filming Locations:

Black Hills, South Dakota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Rezolution Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 86 min 65 min (TV)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Chris Eyre: A rez car is probably like a piece of luggage or something to other people. And you kind of keep it together with tape and with string.

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Connections

Features Powwow Highway (1989)

User Reviews

A Provocative History of Hollywood's Portrayal of Native Americans

Reel Injun is a compelling and insightful film about the history of Hollywood's stereotyping of Native Americans. While it may be trying to cover too much in presenting the entire history of Native Americans in film from the silent era to the present (and thus skips over much in its broad sweep), it is nevertheless highly informative and provocative. I suspect that even the most of the film junkies here at SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX learned quite a bit about a topic that has rarely been treated systematically. The use of small stories about the characters and humorous antidotes is excellent. In exploring the film portrayals of Native Americans Reel Injun also reflects on how the broader culture and the Native peoples have come to view themselves. Even our portrayal of all the specific tribes as the stereotypical feather-laden plains "Injun" was a form of cultural warfare. The evolution of their image in more recent films reflects the gradual changes that have occurred in our culture as it has become increasingly multicultural and open-minded. This film could certainly be used as a powerful educational tool to educate students about how we have historically not only committed genocide against Native Peoples, but used film to portray the victims of American colonial expansion as the violent aggressors.