Powwow Highway

source: Powwow Highway

Trailer—Powwow Highway

Powwow Highway

I first saw PowWow Highway last year, and one scene in particular made me laugh myself to tears. You may remember the scene where Gary Farmer's character crashes the cars in front and in back of him until his car fits into the parking space. Those of you who know Gary may not be surprised that that scene mimics one from Gary's own illustrious past. As one of his old friends from high school and early college, I can tell you that that particular story is one of many, very funny Gary Farmer stories that his old friends love to recount when they get together. I hope he never loses that incredible sense of humor.

My interests are primarily directed toward movies depicting different cultures. I think that this movie has been one that I would watch repeatedly. I admire the Native American Culture and though I am not myself a Native American, I try to read and keep informed on all aspects of their culture. Reservation life has made it hard for some of our indigenous people to find work off the reservation.The spirit that remains for the old culture gives hope for a renewed future. My library consists at the present of several hundred books on the subject of Native Americans. I would certainly enjoy more movies on this very interesting subject.

Gary did an outstanding job. The best part of the movie was when Philbert went to go and wake up Buddy and was standing there in front of him butt naked. I really enjoyed Imogene's part as well. She did a great job telling Buddy of the weekly shootings and how she and Wolf wanted to move to Denver to escape the problems on the reservation. Buddy and Philbert do go on a beautiful journey to help get Buddy's sister Bonnie out of jail in New Mexico for a drug set up, that she did not know of. They truly are superb actors in this film. This movie could surely wrench anyones heart and bring tears to their eyes. I am so glad that this film was shown in my class...thanks Penny.

I had a chance to spend about three weeks on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Lame Deer Montana when I was about 14. That the location for about the first half of Powwow Highway. The film makers really did a great job of capturing the tone of life for many inhabitants of the Reservation. I was also lucky enough to be there during the annual Powwow and when that part of the film came along it brought back many memories.

One of the great disappointments about most of the films that predate this one and revolve around anything purporting to be about "Native Americans" or "Indians," is the stereotypical nature of the characters (mostly, "noble" and "stoic"). This was one of the first and still is one of the best films that captures the humor that is intrinsic to the culture(s) of most of the Native Americans that I've ever been around. Without this film, "Smoke Signals" might never have been possible, since it broke some much needed ground, helping to end the still prevalent practice of using non-Indians to play Indians. The great thing about this film is that, like Smoke Signals, it has themes that transcend the merely cultural. Most of the elders I know teach with humor, and this movie captures that beautifully. It's a movie not to be missed!

This film has a lot of heart. Gary Farmer's character is one of the most likeable in recent memory. His dignity, kindness and spirituality are inspiring and endearing. Few films work so subtlely to create such an indelible, sympathetic and wholly uplifting message. Set amid the vile conditions faced by Cherokee reservation natives, the movie has much to say to all about responsibility, justice and above all, love. Can't recommend this film highly enough!

This film sank into obscurity, and it shouldn't have. An understated and subtle story of personal growth along the quest--it's a standard story, but this film tells it with stark dialogue, cinematography, and characters. Gary Farmer is absolutely convincing, disappearing into his role as the gentle giant completely. A Martinez's Buddy Red Bow is fiery, up to *here* with government treatment of American Indians and closed to sentiment or tenderness. Robbie Robertson's soundtrack is almost a character itself--it's suited to the landscape very well, and its native tones seem to reinforce the spareness of the story and the reservation. Finding a copy will be really hard, but well worth it.