Hi! As a nonnative person, I was wondering if you could recommend at least 5 movies with native lead/supporting characters? I already have Rhymes for Young Ghouls to the list.
So apart from Rhymes For Young Ghouls, here are a few personal recommendations. Please note that not all of these films pass The Aila Test, but are still really good films with great characters and stories.
I will specifically recommend live action films about Native Americans / First Nations, but if you want me to recommend films featuring other indigenous people (or animated films!), let me know.
Despite not passing The Aila Test, I personally loved Maina. This is the sort of film I wished The Revenant would have been like. It takes place in a pre-colonial time where two different indigenous groups met for the first time and stars a great main character. The film also tackles many uncomfortable issues including kidnapping, assimilation and sexual assault with surprising nuance and honesty without exploiting or glamorizing them.
Of the recent Native films I’ve watched, Empire of Dirt might make the Top 3. The film stars THREE indigenous women in leading roles in a modern setting who grow together by learning to love and forgive each other. Sometimes the acting falls flat in places but the overall story and interaction between the characters has a lot of sincerity. It’s one of those films that confronts a lot of Native hardships head on but does so in a healing, cathartic way. I also love how all three of the main characters are very flawed and make a lot of mistakes and bad decisions but are allowed to learn from them rather than be punished or demonized for it.
Smoke Signals is a comedy, but don’t let that fool you. There are some very emotionally charged themes in this movie from alcoholism to domestic violence. The film handles these subjects honestly but with enough humor to take most of the edge off.
4) Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (2007)
This is the film that introduced me to Adam Beach. It is NOT a happy story but is a very important film to watch, especially in light of the protests at Standing Rock. The only thing I have a problem with is that there isn’t a native woman in a leading role (or many speaking roles, for that matter). Mentally prepare yourself before watching it if you think you’ll be too upset.
Thunderheart unfortunately casts a non-Native as the main character (who is supposed to be biracial, White and NDN) but the supporting cast are played by Native actors and Sheila Tousey is perfect as Maggie Eagle Bear. The film serves as an allegory for the Wounded Knee standoff in the 70s and is STILL relevant and important to this day. I would absolutely recommend.
