Smoke Signals (1998)

Director:

Chris Eyre

Writers:

Sherman Alexie (book)
Sherman Alexie (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 June 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A new film from the heart of Native America.

Plot:

Young Indian man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear...

Plot Keywords:

Road | Fire | Trailer | Native American Reservation | Drunkenness

Awards:

9 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Adam Beach	...	Victor Joseph
Evan Adams	...	Thomas Builds-the-Fire
Irene Bedard	...	Suzy Song
Gary Farmer	...	Arnold Joseph
Tantoo Cardinal	...	Arlene Joseph
Cody Lightning	...	Young Victor Joseph
Simon Baker	...	Young Thomas Builds-the-Fire
Monique Mojica	...	Grandma Builds-the-Fire
John Trudell	...	Randy Peone
Chief Leonard George	...	Lester Fallsapart (as Leonard George)
Michael Greyeyes	...	Junior Polatkin
Darwin Haine	...	Boo
Michelle St. John	...	Velma
Elaine Miles	...	Lucy
Cynthia Geary	...	Cathy the Gymnast

Also Known As:

Le secret des cendres (Canada: French title)
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense images.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #35626) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | France:U | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, Plummer, Idaho, USA

Company:

ShadowCatcher Entertainment

Trivia:

The first movie to be written, directed, and co-produced by a Native American.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Thomas offers Victor money to help get him to Phoenix, his braids change position. In one shot, they are both in front. In the next shot, his right braid is over his shoulder. This repeats several times.

Quotes:

Thomas Builds-the-Fire: Hey Victor! I remember the time your father took me to Denny's, and I had the Grand Slam Breakfast. Two eggs, two pancakes, a glass of milk, and of course my favorite, the bacon. Some days, it's a good day to die. And some days, it's a good day to have breakfast.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Wanderlust (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Wahjeeleh-Yihm

One of the most enjoyable motion pictures I've ever seen,

This is one of my favourite movies and it's just wonderfully acted, directed, produced, and scored. What can I say except don't rent it, buy it! This movie is all about human emotions and Adam Beach and Evan Adams did an unforgettable acting duty as Thomas and Victor.

It's a film for the ages. A classic and one that is unfortunately, missed by many. Don't be one of those folks that pass this movie because of its "lack of explosions, cgi, or american actors"... Smoke Signals makes you open up your mind, body, and soul.

At least for the 100 or so minutes it's running... then the rest is up to you.