I'm not sure if it is the best line in the movie, but it certainly is funny, at least to my Indigenous and not-so-easily-offended non-Indigenous friends. The movie I am referring to is Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, not to be mistaken for Dead Man Walking which was also released in 1995 with Sean Penn. I dig this film. I did not see it for the first time until last summer when I finally bought the dvd. I have seen it in its entirity and in parts several times since. I have noticed, however that some people find it odd, slow and boring. I guess it is not for everyone, or perhaps it depends on your mood. I appreciate the subtle humour, in particular the portrayed differences in worldviews and understandings of the two protragonists, William Blake and Nobody (Xebeche). It's cool also to see some Makah relatives in there at the end.Here is some of the dialogue that made me laugh:
(William Blake and Nobody are riding their horses in the forest)
William Blake: Nobody, um, shouldn't you be with your own tribe or something?
Nobody: My blood is mixed. My mother "Ungumpay Pacane"(sp?) My father is "Absoluca" (sp?) This mixture was not respected. As a small boy I was often left to myself. So I spent many months stalking the elk people to prove I would soon become a good hunter. One day finally, my elk relatives took pity on me and a young elk gave his life to me. With only my knife, I took his life. As I was preparing to cut the meat, whitemen came upon me. They were English soldiers. I cut one with my knife but they hit me on the head with a rifle. All went black. My spirit seemed to leave me. I was then taken east, in a cage. I was taken to Toronto, then Philadelphia, and then to New York. And each time I arrived in another city, somehow the whiteman had moved all their people there ahead of me. Each new city contained the same white people as the last. And I could not understand how a whole city of people could be moved so quickly.
If you have seen it and love it or hate, let me know what you think. Leave a comment.
1 comment:
W,
I have seen this movie more than once, and it's a wonderful spoof on the realities of life "back then". I particularily liked the part with the blankets - sad as it was - but the movie wasn't shy to bring up the fact that many were purposefully laced with a deadly disease killing off many indigenous people.
Over all - a classic art film about the clash of cultures that existed.
I would say it's up there with, "Life is Beautiful".
The use of humor and art, is truly what makes this movie more indigenous in it's perspective.
I give it 5 out of 5 feathers! :-)
G
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