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Native Film Talk — Film Reviews
Native Film Talk

Hello! Welcome to Native Film Talk! The purpose of this podcast is to explore Native representation in film from the perspective of a Native, me. Native American representation in film is as old as the film industry itself, so there is a plethora of content available for review. I plan to watch movies, tv shows, and documentaries from the old westerns, i.e. The Searchers, The Outlaw Josey Wales, to more modern box office hits, Wind River, Hostiles, Magnificent Seven. Also I’d like to explore film that are from the Native perspective, i.e. Smoke Signals, Skins, Indian Horse, The Fast Runner. During this journey I will do research and dedicate an episode per film. I hope on this journey to gain a better understanding of what appropriate representation means to me. I realize my palate will change through the course of this podcast and I hope yours does as well!
Overall, the image of the Native American in film has changed in a lot of ways, in others it has not. There have been attempts to mature from the stoic indian, noble savage, and white savior but we also see modern instanaces where those stereotypes continue to be perpetuated. Also there is encouraging signs that we are heading in the right direction, with movies like Indian Horse, that recant accurate experiences of Native people in history. Also tv shows like Molly From Denali that show a positive image of native people on television while being accurate to the tribe being represented in the show. I’m excited for this journey and hopefully will have some great guests join me along the way. Thank you and happy listening!

Latest Episodes:

Rezball Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Let's talk about Rezball! Produced by Lebron James and documents a story of the Chuska Warriors losing their star player to suicide. The team and community finds a way to rally around their culture, language, and each other to succeed. On paper this sounds fantastic, however I dive into some positives and negatives. In particular, the use of Native mascots, Navajo language spoken by non-Navajos, and I criticize the making of another sad Native story.

Why I Stopped Making Episodes Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

I talk about why I stopped making podcast episodes. Short story is I didn't like the content that was coming out, despite the fact that there was seemingly a lot of it and it was received positivtely by Native audiences. I talk about Killers of the Flower Moon, Rezball, Yellowstone Series ending, and state of Native cinema. Hope you all enjoy the return! I'll make another episode soon. Talk to you later.

Echo Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Back again with a episode on Marvel's Echo. My friend Chris joins me to talk about Maya Lopez's journey back to her community in season 1 of Echo. We discuss why this is important for Native representation, specifically for women. I had a great time discussing how badass Alaqua Cox is as Maya and how much we are looking forward to another season.

There isn't much I didn't like about this show, it's easy to like and does a lot for Native representation. Listen as we share our thoughts.

Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter: @nativefilmtalk. Like, subscribe, and let me know what you think of the show at www.nativefilmtalk.com

Joey Clift Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

I had a wonderful chat with Joey Clift. He is a writer on Spirit Rangers, which just got renewed for season 2! Woot woot!

Joey has also created amazing short films like My First Native American Boyfriend and How To Cope With Your Team Changing Its Native American Mascot.

We talk a bit about the Spirit Rangers premiere, in addition to how the show came to be. We also touch on the state of Native American representation today. While I typically speculate on, "Where do we go from here..." I feel that Joey's opinion and perspective on this topic is the most unique one that has been aired on the podcast.

So check this episode out! Enjoy and let me know what you think, talk to you later.

Rez Dogs Season 2 - Episode 1 & 2 Dec 24, 2022

Show notes

Alrighty! We're back with the Rez Dogs takeover! Episodes 1 and 2 are essentially one long episode so I decided to combine them!

We're back with Bear, Elora, Cheese, and Willie Jack as they try to reverse curses, make it back to town, get a job, and try to not be a shitass in life. They get second, sometimes third chances, because there is good in them that needs room to flourish.

I loved this season and am excited to talk more about the amazing things that were done in season 2 of Rez Dogs

Jon Proudstar (Leon on Reservation Dogs) Oct 29, 2022

Show notes

Jon is most recently known for his work on Reservation Dogs, playing Willie Jack's dad Leon. However Jon has been in the acting business for a while and has many stories to share! What Hollywood was like when he started acting compared to now on Reservation Dogs. Also we discuss where people get it wrong about Native people when it comes to science, culture, sense of place, filmmaking.

I had fun talking to Jon it is clear he is having the time of his life right now where Native people have the opportunity to control the narrative in film/tv. This has led to opportunities from non-Native film makers to give Native actors the ability to accurately represent themselves on screen. Jon shares his experiences on his upcoming film Year of the Dog.

Last we talked about Jon's comic book Tribal Force, the long journey from the mid-90s to now and what's coming next.

Hope you all enjoy! Like, subscribe, and send me feedback.

Nathalie Standingcloud Sep 24, 2022

Show notes

We had an Auntie on the podcast! Nathalie Standingcloud who plays Natalie an Optometry Receptionist. Nathalie is a tatoo artist, stage actor, on-screen actor, and model. She has been in the spotlight recently in performance as one of the Aunties in Season 2 Episode 5 of Reservation Dogs, where a quartet of ladies journey to an IHS Conference.

In my chat with Nathalie we discuss the importance and feedback from Season 2 Episode 5, also why the representation in that episode was so important for Native women. In addition we discuss her path to acting, her work as a tattoo artist, advice for aspiring Native actors, Rutherford Falls cancellation, Dexter New Blood, and much more.

I had a wonderful chat with Nathalie and it flew by! I'm thrilled to bring this conversation to you all and I hope you enjoy!

Dark Winds w/ Majerle Lister (Host of Wósdéé Podcast) Aug 21, 2022

Show notes

Listen as I dive into season 1 of Dark Winds with my guest Majerle Lister, host of Wósdéé podcast and co-host of F*ckin Sick Podcast.

We do deep dive of how this compares to the previous PBS Hillerman films and general reception of the Hillerman novels among Navajo people. Additionally we discuss the impact of having an all native writers room for this series and including historically accurate events for the 1970s on the Navajo reservation.

As always we do a cast review, discuss positives/negatives, and wrap up our overall thoughts of the season. Spoiler alert, we both really like it and can't wait for season two. We also give it some harsh criticism from a Navajo lens, regarding language use, writing, and cultural expression in the show. BUT we also acknowledge that most non-Navajo people will not hold the same critiques, so we look forward to hearing your critique of the first season!

It was a fun discussion that yielded the longest podcast episode to date, hope you all enjoy.

Prey w/ MacNez Podcast Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Directed by Dan Trachenburg, this feature film is the #1 film premier in the first three days on Hulu. Receiving praise from Jesse Ventura, Joe Rogan, Bill Duke, and rocking a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has received positive acclaim.

This film dives into the world of Naru as she is trying to find her foothold as a warrior while challenging the traditional roles for women in her village. While trying to perform her trial and kill a predator and bring home the head, she encounters a creature of the Yautja race, a Predator that seeks out other predators for sport. A wild ride ensues that has historically accurate costumes, customs, and authentic native talent on display. In addition to all of this, it was dubbed in Comanche upon release. This is the first feature film that is dubbed in Native language upon release. This is the benchmark for representation in major motion pictures.

Listen as I discuss Amber Midthunder's performance, review how this film challenges stereotypes typically portrayed in film, and where this takes us from here. I review the cast, the plot, discuss positives/negatives, and then provide some final thoughts.

I hope you all leave a review/ comment. Subscribe and listen out for our next episode, Dark Winds!

Caleb Abrams (Cultural Consultant - Dexter New Blood) Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

I had a great chat with Caleb Abrams (Seneca) and discussed his work as a cultural consultant on Dexter New Blood. We also discuss the inclusion of MMIW in the show, his college educational experience, and what his community thought of Dexter New Blood. In addition, so much more.

Caleb is many things but he is most a great asset to Indian Country, it shows in what was present in Dexter. I'm happy to have had the time to chat with him and I look forward to see what he has coming up next. Check out his website and check out the trailer for his upcoming short film The Burning of My Cold Spring Home, it can be found at www.calebgabrams.com

Like, subscribe, leave a review and I hope you all enjoy!

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