Smoke Signals (1998) is an independent film that deals with the controversial and serious topics of family, anger, guilt, alcoholism, and tradition, delivering them in an understanding and heartfelt way. Even though this movie was released 17 years ago, it gives a fresh take on how the Native Americans may be living on the reservations now. Director Chris Eyre presents a thrilling and dramatic view of Victor and Thomas’s relationship on the reservation and their interactions with others on the quest for Arnold. To give the audience an in-depth look into these scenes, the cinematography presents the scenes with transitions from the young adult’s present to their past as children. This gives a taste of the Native American culture and traditions
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There have been controversial and confusing stereotypes of Native Americans; this humorous, yet frank film helps clear up the whispering hearsay. This Native American agency shows how the Native Americans on the reservation treat one another versus how the white folks along the road trip treated them. Victor tells Thomas that white people always win; whether it was cowboys in their media or their family history from the past. Victor holds high respect for his culture, declaring things like “an Indian man ain’t nothing without his hair” or “you gotta look mean or people won’t respect you.” This is how they want to be perceived, giving an unconscious response to how they are treated. From the encounter on the bus to the car accident, the agency presents white males as insolent towards them; this shows male white characters opposing them, and female white characters supporting and siding with them. The females are more understanding; like in The Searchers (1956) Debbie wants to stay with the Native Americans, enjoying their traditions and …show more content…
There are no cowboys or savage Indians tormenting or being tormented, there is simply a task at hand having to do with their tradition. Rather than a film with hero John Wayne protecting the Wild West from the ambushing Indians, the audience sees Indians minding to themselves and fulfilling their own customs. The film emphasizes family over the little violence and prejudices taking place. This also takes place in the contemporary 20th century, while most of the notorious and stereotypical fashions of Native Americans were place in the 19th century classic Westerns. The elements that usually create a Western are not present in this film, there may be hints towards the past Westerns, such as the comment on cowboys and John Wayne, but no other part brings out the essence of a Hollywood
There have been controversial and confusing stereotypes of Native Americans; this humorous, yet frank film helps clear up the whispering hearsay. This Native American agency shows how the Native Americans on the reservation treat one another versus how the white folks along the road trip treated them. Victor tells Thomas that white people always win; whether it was cowboys in their media or their family history from the past. Victor holds high respect for his culture, declaring things like “an Indian man ain’t nothing without his hair” or “you gotta look mean or people won’t respect you.” This is how they want to be perceived, giving an unconscious response to how they are treated. From the encounter on the bus to the car accident, the agency presents white males as insolent towards them; this shows male white characters opposing them, and female white characters supporting and siding with them. The females are more understanding; like in The Searchers (1956) Debbie wants to stay with the Native Americans, enjoying their traditions and …show more content…
There are no cowboys or savage Indians tormenting or being tormented, there is simply a task at hand having to do with their tradition. Rather than a film with hero John Wayne protecting the Wild West from the ambushing Indians, the audience sees Indians minding to themselves and fulfilling their own customs. The film emphasizes family over the little violence and prejudices taking place. This also takes place in the contemporary 20th century, while most of the notorious and stereotypical fashions of Native Americans were place in the 19th century classic Westerns. The elements that usually create a Western are not present in this film, there may be hints towards the past Westerns, such as the comment on cowboys and John Wayne, but no other part brings out the essence of a Hollywood