Dance Me Outside

This is one of my favourite films. It is both realistic and uplifting and the characters are engaging and interesting.

The film deals with serious issues and problems but the witty dialogue and humour is a breath of fresh air in a weighty world.

I was glad to see "The Rez" as a pilot on CBC (same characters, most of the same actors), however it was short-lived and a bit of a disappointment.

I had to bid over and over at an online auction to get my copy. I loved everything about the movie. The casting was superb and the humor could be seen even though the plot line was of a dark nature. I am not Native, and can only guess that this is a close approximation of life on a Reservation to some degree. This film has caused me to wonder many evenings what was factual and what was fictional. Obviously, there are still some stereotypes regarding both people, Whites and Natives. What I liked was that the movie showed some real issues without getting too preachy. It pointed out what some of the basic problems facing Natives are and gave the audience a chance to learn through humor, and yes, horror. Since watching this Movie for the first time, I tend to watch for similar movies, such as Smoke Signals and Cowboys and Indians. I have not been disappointed yet.

I thought that this was an excellent film, and that it really addressed some very important issues. The description given here does this film NO justice at all, nor does the trailer. I first saw this movie about six years ago and hadn't seen it since until recently. I am currently doing research of native lifestyles and the politics of reservationist systems and this movie suddenly came to mind, from six years prior. It really stuck with me through what has been six years of pretty regular movie watching and it and I am glad that it did. It is MOST definitely work a watch at least once! Its the only movie that i can recall seeing that has any sort of good representation for use in my research.

At the risk of sounding like an advocate, "Dance Me Outside" was an intriguing and important film. In an age of entertainment bombarded by white culture, and white values, and white people, it becomes increasingly necessary for people of color to be in film. This movie, although romantic in its interpretation of reservation life, shows the very real problem plaguing the non-white people of Canada in their efforts to attend post secondary institutions, as well as prejudices surrounding inter-racial relationships. More than this, the film makes a statement about consequences of imposing white values on the aboriginal people-- or any communities of color for that matter, and stereotyping. It does all this, and its entertaining, with a dark humor. As for the acting, performances by Adam Beach and Ryan Black were outstanding. This was a very good film. 4/5

This is a really fine little film that far outshines the much more commented-upon "Smoke Signals". The dialogue rings true, and the characters are more than 2-D stereotypes. Some serious issues about reservation life are dealt with fairly and honestly, without falling back on condescending plot contrivances.