Screening and discussion with Torry Mendoza

We continue screening this important documentary series with the last two parts. Since their invention, Hollywood movies have generally portrayed Native American Indians as bloodthirsty villains, anonymous and deadly forces of nature, or as noble savages. And speaking roles tended to go to Anglo-Saxons in red-skinned versions of minstrels. Who can forget Rock Hudson as the warrior chief Young Bull in the classic Winchester ’73? Narrated by genuine Native American Will Sampson, who played Chief Bromden in the Academy award-winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Images of Indians is a five-part documentary that shines a light on Hollywood stereotypes of Indians. The series was written, produced, and directed by Phil Lucas and Robert Hagopian.

PART 4: HEATHEN INJUNS & THE HOLLYWOOD GOSPEL. The fourth program deals with the ignorant and/or intentional misrepresentation of various American Indian religions and the inaccurate depiction of the role of women in Native American societies.

PART 5: THE MOVIE REEL INDIANS. This final installment features guests Dennis Banks, spokesman for the American Indian Movement (AIM), and Vine Deloria Jr., author of Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, reviewing Hollywood’s historical stereotyping of Native Americans. Highlights include film clips from various movies.