We don't have to look very far to see that Hollywood, for the most part, is dominated by white actors, directors and producers. Look at the line up of the 2011 Academy Award nominees for example... But beyond providing ample evidence of white privilege, Hollywood also offers teachers countless documented examples of how Indigenous and other racially oppressed people are represented in popular culture. What purpose do these dehumanizing constructions serve? Reel Injun gives us a lot of interesting information to think about so that students may better answer this question. Excellent film - check it out.Reel Injun Website: http://www.reelinjunthemovie.com/site/
NFB Trailer: http://www.nfb.ca/film/reel_injun_trailer/
Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyEJSEZYNU
Hollywood has made over 4000 films about Native people; over 100 years of movies defining how Indians are seen by the world. Reel Injun takes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema. Travelling through the heartland of America, Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond looks at how the myth of “the Injun” has influenced the world’s understanding – and misunderstanding – of Natives. With candid interviews with directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood, Jim Jarmusch, Robbie Robertson, Sacheen Littlefeather, John Trudell and Russell Means, clips from hundreds of classic and recent films, including Stagecoach, Little Big Man, The Outlaw Josey Wales, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Atanarjuat the Fast Runner, Reel Injun traces the evolution of cinema’s depiction of Native people from the silent film era to today.
