Powwow Highway

Depicts the struggles of reservation-dwelling Native Americans in the North Central United States. The main character is an introspective and lovable person in a process of seeking pride and identity through traditional and mystical means of gathering power. His high school friend, who is a Vietnam War Veteran, is exerting power as a highly principled social activist, using a modern rational materialist adversarial model of progress.

There really are not that many movies out there about reservation life, at least very few that come to mind. This one is excellent, however. Not just because it is a really good movie (which it is), but because of the way it portrays the characters.

It would be much too easy to paint the Cheyenne as the good guys and the "white man" as the bad guy. This is not the case. Certainly, we feel bad for the way big business wants to strip the natives of resources... but the natives are shown as less than perfect, too. Is getting ripped off bad? Of course. But does that make it acceptable to smash a store and beat a store owner? No.

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.

Lovely movie. Pow Wow Highway is the story of A Montana Cheyenne who takes off in a 1964 Buick to find enlightenment. Joining him is the reservation's political activist, who sets out to rescue his sister from an unjust imprisonment.

Pow Wow Highway is the story of their journey, and in one sense it's a road movie and a buddy movie, but in another sense it's a meditation on the way we understand the world we live in. Philbert Bono doesn't think of a trip to Santa Fe in terms of hours or miles, but in terms of the places he must visit between here and there to make it into a journey of discovery -- to gather Medicine or Spirit Power.

Each character, in the film, looks at life from a different perspective. To Philbert the trip to Santa Fe is his Vision Quest, his coming of age as a man and a Cheyenne Warrior. His vision is clear and uncontaminated by the world, consequently, he is able to achieve communion with the Great Spirit and be transformed into Whirlwind Dreamer, mighty Cheyenne warrior. He does this by being open, honest, and sincere, thereby tapping the potential that always existed within him.

Remarkable movie, and a must see. Gary Farmer is terrific.

Winner of the Filmmaker's Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival.

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.