2002
The Sioux
There are several sub-divisions of the Sioux: Dakota, Lakota and Nakota. These are simply dialect variations in which some dialects have /d/ others have /l/ and others /n/.
Pine Ridge is the name of a reservation and town on S. Dakota near Nebraska border.
The Sioux are well knon for many famous fighters who came out of the area - Crazy Horse, American Horse, Sitting Bull etc.
Trickster
Standard character all over the world - Bre'r Rabbit, Loki, Coyote, Raven, Blue Jay, Iktome etc. General mischief maker. Related perhaps tp Culture hero who brings good things (teaches by example) and opposed to trickster who often messes things up (learn what NOT to do).
Coyote and his mother in law
Some tricksters are shape shifters and appear in different forms. Often they switch between human and animal.
NW Coast Raven clerly a bird in bringing fire, but clearly human when he demands boxes with sun moon and stars.
SKINS
The film is directed by Chris Eyre, a Cheyenne Arapaho from Oregon who know lives in S. Dakota.
Things to look for
What other film can you think of that opens with "newreel" footage in order to introduce you to the character? Citizen Kane. AFTER THE FILM
What is the film about?
What kind of cultural information is given in the film about the people, society and culture at Pine Ridge and neighboring towns?
Chris Eyre says visitors to Pine Ridge see the poverty and some oppression but they don't see there is much love on the reservation, and there is.
(The violence, alcoholism. spouse abuse, violence among young people are all result of poverty. Reservations were calmer in teh past with more poverty).
Breaks sterotypes
Some of the "in things" are likely to be understood only by Northern Plains people.
Humor Law and Order
Family
Depictions of family in film(s)
Films is about relations between people - specifically two very different brothers.
Rudi and nephew
Are there other family relationships in the film?
Compare the two brotehrs in On the Waterfront. The question is not one of do Indians have more or less relatives but somethign about the nature of the relationship in the culture. Culture is not a bunch of isolated traits, but the way in which those traits are integrated. How much does the viewer have to know (cultural presupposition) and how much does the film inform you of what you need to know.
Photography
Point of View shots
At hosptial the last time Mogie and Rudy see each other.
Camera movement
Camera moves in on the two in hospital
Camera moves away when Rudy leaves his brother for the last time
Editing
No edits in long scene when Herbie comes to see Mogie after he promised to cut back on drinking. Is the a "homage" to Welles and his long shots in Touch of Evil?
Some Questions to "Ponder" about the Nature of the film and the director.
How do the Indians look - there is variation for example in skin color, and dinstinctive facial features. What can you say abuot the choice of actors?
When Gary Farmer cuts his hair in Smoke Signals, some people feel he looks virtually like an Anglo. Does he? What might this kind of casting imply?
People asked "Why didn't he just arrest the boys"? Eyre's amswer is that it isn't reasonable in an insane poverty situation like this. How would you interpret this statement?
Does Eyre (a Cheyenne Arapaho) understand Siouan culture? Is he an outsider? All three (CHeyenne Arapaho and Sioux) are Plains Indians so they share some cultural backgruond.
In an interview Eyre's couldn't remember what some of the Dakota words in the film meant.What does that mean about other Indians understanding those aspects of the film? Are they as much in the dark as Anglos?
Can Eyre be classified politically as right or left wing?