Skins (2002)

An inspirational tale about the relationship between two Sioux Indian brothers living on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation.

Director:

Chris Eyre

Writers:

Adrian C. Louis (novel), Jennifer D. Lyne

Stars:

Eric Schweig, Graham Greene, Gary Farmer

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Schweig	...	Rudy Yellow Lodge
Graham Greene	...	Mogie Yellow Lodge
Gary Farmer	...	Verdell Weasel Tail
Noah Watts	...	Herbie Yellow Lodge
Lois Red Elk	...	Aunt Helen
Michelle Thrush	...	Stella
Nathaniel Arcand	...	Teen Mogie
Chaske Spencer	...	Teen Rudy
Joseph American Horse	...	Panhandler
Wilda Asimont	...	Neighbor
Dave Bald Eagle	...	Old Soldier
Bruce Bennett	...	Medical Examiner
Robert A. Bennett	...	Officer Comes Running
Gil Birmingham	...	Sonny Yellow Lodge
Joe Black Elk	...	Drill Team Member #1

Storyline

Rudy Yellow Lodge is an investigator with the police department and witnesses firsthand the painful legacy of Indian existence. Although rampant unemployment, alcoholism and domestic violence are the norm for many reservation inhabitants, Rudy has largely escaped this cycle of despair. His brother Mogie, however, has not. Now faced with the discovery of a bloodied body, a flaming liquor store just off native land that sells millions of cans of beer a year to the native population, and his brother's ongoing self-destruction, Rudy goes on a quest to avenge himself, his family, and his culture and to seek justice.

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Plot Keywords:

watching tv | tragedy | rock | violence | pine ridge indian reservation | 

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Taglines:

The Other American Heroes.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Em Busca de Identidade

Filming Locations:

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,439, 29 September 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$238,987, 15 December 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, Starz! Encore Entertainment, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The crew would have to drive an hour each day since there was no local hotel or other infrastructure available. Three cars rolled travelling on gravel roads on the way to or from production.

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Goofs

A drunken Mogie attempts to shoot a beer can with his shotgun as Rudy approaches. Near the end of the scene Mogie drops the shotgun and it discharges, hitting the beer can. Rudy picks up the shotgun and breaks open the chamber; there are however no spent shells evident in the shotgun.

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Quotes

Mogie Yellow Lodge: Well, maybe there is one thing you can do for me.
Rudy Yellow Lodge: What?
Mogie Yellow Lodge: Help me blow the nose off George Washington at Rushmore.

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Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

THE HERON SMILED
Written by Carson Gardner & Annie Humphrey
Performed by Annie Humphrey
Courtesy of Makoch

User Reviews

Fine film

I think this is an exceptional film, with some fine acting. The acting for the most part is underplayed and complicated by some more subtle nuances than many of us are used to seeing. The characters do not woodenly represent good or evil; they often give many mixed messages, and intentions might be good but are provocative to others as well as the audience in the actions shown. Some of the characters are very clear, and quietly and sensitively played. These are not the typical "noble savages" who crowd some Hollywood portrayals; they represent real and suffering people who, each in his or her own way, struggle with inner demons and addictions, like the rest of us, and for the most part try to do the right thing. The characters portrayed who don't seem to care about doing the "right" thing, or care about the rights of others, seem like they are possessed by hopelessness in their destructive actions. They feel trapped in a bleak and seemingly hopeless environment; this is a third-world cultural inside of our very materialistic, greedy American society. The unusual sense of humor, and enduring familial love, and attention to Native American spiritual practices, that come through despite every obstacle, violence, and frustration are the keys here. This film has a different, but intense, cultural point of view that we might be unfamiliar with, but that makes it stark and compelling. The director's commentary and extra features on the DVD are worth listening to/watching as well.