I raised 8 kids and this movie is in our top ten. We have been quoting the screenplay for years in different contexts—Thomas and Victor felt like part of the family. John Wayne’s Teeth became “Turn Green, Turn Green” at red lights, etc. All his life my husband was told his grandmother was a Native from Manhasset but his DNA says otherwise. We wonder who’s not telling the truth.
I’m glad the actors , especially Adam Beach, went on to a lot of other good roles. But kinda disappointed that it didn’t spur a lot of other stuff highlighting the contemporary experiences of Native Indians
I'll never forget the first time I saw this great film. It was mesmerizing to me. I knew within 30 seconds of watching it start that it was great and utterly unique. I've seen it at least 12 times.
I remember driving from Rapid City to Eagle Butte, South Dakota twenty years ago in order to setup a call center in a big new building to bring jobs to the area selling by phone whatever nobody really wanted to buy. On the radio was a comical segment by the Cheyenne River Lakota tribe for a fictional university called “I Wanna Be U” and this included quotes from white people trying to be Indian and few of these I recognized but one that caused me to laugh in that I recognized it, and to pause in that I recognized it as the call of Thomas Builds-the-Fire out to, “Victor!” And I wondered at how other tribes viewed your work, which I love(d).
Yet still I come to tears at the monologue over fathers, and the track Mahk Jchi by Ulali still gives me goosebumps. But these memories coincide.
I raised 8 kids and this movie is in our top ten. We have been quoting the screenplay for years in different contexts—Thomas and Victor felt like part of the family. John Wayne’s Teeth became “Turn Green, Turn Green” at red lights, etc. All his life my husband was told his grandmother was a Native from Manhasset but his DNA says otherwise. We wonder who’s not telling the truth.
I’m glad the actors , especially Adam Beach, went on to a lot of other good roles. But kinda disappointed that it didn’t spur a lot of other stuff highlighting the contemporary experiences of Native Indians
Will this count as a make-up to the Bellingham event 2 summers ago, Sherman? ;)
Wish I could attend! Loved the movie when I saw it. Glad it is getting "out there" again!
I love the raw loveliness of these poems.
Sincerest Congratulations!
Such a wonderful film. I always show it to my first year Berklee/Boston Conservatory students. They love it! I do too!
I saw this at a film festival I think in 1999, great film. I always wanted to read Lone Ranger and Tonto fist fight in heaven.. I’m gonna go buy it.
🥰 “dances with salmon”
what a wonderful " Gift" Sherman, wish I could attend, I remember the event twenty years ago.
One of my favorites. Then, what a treat to experience more of these characters in your books.
wonderful! I read Smoke Signals when first published and then the movie came out.
loved both then. The movie did not get the often said “I liked the book better”. Congrats on the timelessness of this work.
Hey, Victor! I have seen and enjoyed this movie several times. And read the writing that inspired it.
I'll never forget the first time I saw this great film. It was mesmerizing to me. I knew within 30 seconds of watching it start that it was great and utterly unique. I've seen it at least 12 times.
Love this movie!
I remember driving from Rapid City to Eagle Butte, South Dakota twenty years ago in order to setup a call center in a big new building to bring jobs to the area selling by phone whatever nobody really wanted to buy. On the radio was a comical segment by the Cheyenne River Lakota tribe for a fictional university called “I Wanna Be U” and this included quotes from white people trying to be Indian and few of these I recognized but one that caused me to laugh in that I recognized it, and to pause in that I recognized it as the call of Thomas Builds-the-Fire out to, “Victor!” And I wondered at how other tribes viewed your work, which I love(d).
Yet still I come to tears at the monologue over fathers, and the track Mahk Jchi by Ulali still gives me goosebumps. But these memories coincide.