Reel Injun is a great documentary about a topic that has always been of particular interest to me: Native Americans in Hollywood.
It features interviews with filmmakers, film historians, and Native actors to discuss common Native American archetypes found in popular culture: the “noble Indian”, the “savage Indian”, the “Drunken Indian”, the “Indian princess”, and the “peaceful, hippie Indian”. It also explores Hollywood’s practice of depicting most Indians as being from Plains tribes (but shown living in the Southwest desert/Monument Valley), using “Tonto-speak”, and the use of white actors to play Native roles.
I was also surprised to learn that Iron Eyes Cody, aka “The Crying Indian” (from the famous 1970s “Keep America Beautiful” PSA), was actually Sicilian, not Native American.
The filmmaker even drives around the country in a “Rez car” to visit locations that are iconic in both film and Native American history. Check it out, it’s on Netflix watch instantly!
P.S. Dances with Wolves is the first movie I remember seeing in a movie theater.
Love the post, Lauren. Can’t wait to see this film!