More's the pity.
Since it's movies day, and I can't go five minutes without mentioning something I read in Bitch, I will tempt you with tales of Naturally Native:
Naturally Native follows the lives, loves, pain, joy and relationships of three sisters as they attempt to start their own business. Of American Indian ancestry, but adopted by white foster parents as young children, each sister has her own identity issues and each has chosen a very different career path. Now dedicated to starting a Native cosmetic business, they attempt to overcome obstacles both in the business world and in the home. A touching love story of family and culture, Naturally Native also interweaves a subtle, but strong wake-up call regarding the treatment of Native people in corporate America. Naturally Native also provides some insight into tribal infrastructure and gaming issues.
If you're dismissively sneering "chick movie" at this point, please consider that Spirited Away is a just a cartoon, and the Gamera flick is guys in rubber monster suits. So you maybe wanna consider shutting the hell up.
A Red-Horse Native production, Naturally Native is the first film about Native American women written, directed, produced and starring Native American women. Co-directed by Valerie Red-Horse and Jennifer Wynne Farmer ("Pumpkin Man"), the film stars Valerie Red-Horse ("The Secret of Lizard Woman"), Irene Bedard ("Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee"), Kimberly Norris (TNT's Geronimo), Pato Hoffmann (TNT's Geronimo), Mark Abbott ("Squanto: A Warrior's Tale"), Collin Bernsen (Cover Me) and Mary Kay Place (The Rainmaker). The film was written and produced by Valerie Red-Horse, executive produced by Dawn Jackson and Co-produced by Yvonne Russo. The director of photography was Bruce Finn, the production designer was Kee Miller and the editor was Lorraine Salk. Naturally Native was shot in the Los Angeles area in October and November 1997 with a total of 19 shooting days.
Links added here and there. This is all one big bookmarks list for me, you know.
The article in Bitch mentions:
The New Indian Cinema is in its adolescence; as with any indie movement, the current crop of Native-tghememd films ranges from sophomoric to brilliant (Johnny Greyeyes and Naturally Native are the latter).
Which might sound harsh, except for those of us who tried and failed to sit through any of Oscar Micheaux's films.
Want to hear more? The soundtrack for the film is available at Amazon, although the movie itself is not. You can also hear bits of the soundtrack at the official site, if, unlike me, you have a working Shockwave install.
I'd like to see this film. Now. Please.
You, er, didn't notice the title on this entry then?
Doesn't look like it ever played outside North Dakota, actually: http://www.naturallynative.com/coming/default.html
I've got some of his later stuff (I don't really get into silents that much, altho I do like Within Our Gates...not for children! Ten Minutes to Live (1932), one of Micheaux' first sound films isn't too bad, considering - it started out silent and then went to a mixture of the two - some swell chorusgirl/nightclub scenes. Lying Lips 1940 is also pretty darn good - with Edna Mae Harris. Still have to see Swing (1938), though. I'm kind of a musicals nut.