MOMA Presents Neil Diamond's Reel Injun Thru 6/20

By: Jun. 20, 2010
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The documentary film Reel Injun (2009), a vivid, lively essay, both critical and optimistic, on the representation in American cinema of aboriginal people on the big screen, is directed by Neil Diamond, a filmmaker from the Cree community of Waskaganish, on Canada's James Bay. It will screen in The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters at The Museum of Modern Art in a weeklong engagement from June 14 through 20, 2010. The documentary explores Hollywood films' perpetuation of cultural misunderstandings both tragic and comic by bringing together footage from American Westerns and feature films made by aboriginal filmmakers in North America, and interviews with such popular cinematic personalities as Clint Eastwood, Jim Jarmusch, Chris Eyre, and Graham Greene. MoMA Presents: Neil Diamond's Reel Injun is organized by Laurence Kardish, Senior Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.

In the film, Diamond travels across America, visiting many popular cinematic locations-Monument Valley, the setting for many of Hollywood's Westerns; and the Black Hills of South Dakota, home to Crazy Horse; and many others. Diamond interviews Clint Eastwood (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; A Fistful of Dollars; Unforgiven), who helped challenge popular and negative "Injun" stereotypes in his films. Eastwood discusses the evolution of the image of Indians in Westerns and what cowboy-and-Indian myths mean to America. Filmmakers Jim Jarmusch (Dead Man), Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals), and Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner) also share their thoughts with Diamond on the topic, as do Native actors Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves, Thunderheart) and Adam Beach (Smoke Signals, Clint Eastwood's Flags of our Fathers).

Reel Injun. 2009. Canada. Directed by Neil Diamond. Screenplay by Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge, Jeremiah Hayes. Courtesy Lorber Films. 85 min.

Screening Schedule:
Monday, June 14, 8:00
Wednesday, June 16, 4:30
Thursday, June 17, 4:30
Friday, June 18, 4:30
Saturday, June 19, 8:00
Sunday, June 20, 2:30



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