Powwow Highway (1989)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Jonathan Wacks

Writers:

David Seals (novel)
Janet Heaney (writer) ...

Release Date:

24 February 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Social realism regarding struggles of reservation-dwelling Native Americans in the North Central states of the US...

Plot Keywords:

Native American | Road | Road Trip | Police | Discrimination

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

A Martinez	...	Buddy Red Bow
Gary Farmer	...	Philbert Bono
Joannelle Nadine Romero	...	Bonnie Red Bow
Amanda Wyss	...	Rabbit Layton
Sam Vlahos	...	Chief Joseph
Wayne Waterman	...	Wolf Tooth
Margot Kane	...	Imogene
Geoffrey Rivas	...	Sandy Youngblood (as Geoff Rivas)
Roscoe Born	...	Agent Jack Novall
John Trudell	...	Louie Short Hair
Wes Studi	...	Buff
Tony Frank	...	Captain Roberts
Chrissie McDonald	...	Jane Red Bow
Sky Seals	...	Sky Red Bow
Maria Antoinette Rogers	...	Aunt Harriet

Runtime:

USA:88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Nambe Reservation, Nambe, New Mexico, USA

Company:

HandMade Films

Quotes:

Buddy Red Bow: Let's go get a drink Phil.
Rabbit Layton: Well that's the first good idea you've had.

Soundtrack:

CAN'T TEAR IT UP ENUFF

A journey of discovery.

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.