Discuss Pow Wow Highway In Relation To Native American Representation
Submitted by carolinemills on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
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Discuss Pow Wow Highway In Relation To Native American Representation
"The very charm and good humour that make this movie so much fun to watch are potentially its most dangerous elements. "
Powwow Highway successfully blends modernity and tradition through its comic social critique. Through memorable and loveable protagonists, Buddy Redbow (A. Martinez) and Philbert (Gary Farmer), director Jonathan Wacks attempts to raise and deconstruct traditional Hollywood stereotypes of Native Indians. Whilst doing so, we follow the characters quest for self discovery and adventure as they travel from the Cheyenne homelands to Santa Fe to rescue the maiden in distress, Buddy's sister Bonnie. The adventure travels through the contemporary Native American West to highlight and visually reflect relevant political, social and economic problems they face. The film itself as an entity carries one of the themes of shapeshifting , as it is not just a comedy but as much of a thriller, a road movie, a western and an action film. Through humour and parody, the film is extremely effective in deconstructing certain Hollywood stereotypes and emphasising the modern reality. This is mainly through the hilarious yet philosophical sidekick, Philbert. Ultimately however, the relationships between the two Cheyenne men in their journey, provide the substance and interest in its development. Although this undermines the social criticisms raised throughout, the film still proves itself effective in making a mark on Native Indian's presence in Hollywood.
The opening image to the 1989 movie reflects many of the previous stereotypical images of the Cheyenne warrior. This image of an Indian charging on horseback through the Plains however is instantly contrasted with a modern depiction of Indians in a bar. This opening is but one of many attempts to visually deconstruct assumptions of Indians shown in the history of Hollywood, e.g. the fighting savage Indians in movies such as Stagecoach. This use of imagery here is similar to the...
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