DeepSummary
Ayesha Harris hosts a discussion about the film 'Fancy Dance' with guests Sam Yellowhorse Kessler and Shay Vassar. The film follows Lily Gladstone as Jax, a woman caring for her niece Roki after her sister goes missing, and their journey to a powwow while facing the threat of Roki being taken into custody.
The guests provide their initial impressions of the film, praising its portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life but noting some issues with execution. They analyze Gladstone's performance in comparison to her role in 'Killers of the Flower Moon', and discuss the significance of depicting the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The conversation also focuses on the authentic representation of powwows and Indigenous culture, including a relatable scene about misunderstandings around regalia. Overall, the guests recommend the film as an important and rare portrayal of modern Indigenous perspectives, despite some flaws.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The film 'Fancy Dance' offers a rare and authentic portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life and perspectives.
- Lily Gladstone's performance as Jax is praised, with comparisons drawn to her role in 'Killers of the Flower Moon'.
- The film addresses the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in a realistic, non-preachy manner.
- The depiction of powwows and Indigenous culture, including a relatable scene about misunderstandings around regalia, is highlighted.
- While the film has some flaws in execution, it is recommended as an important and rare representation of modern Indigenous stories and voices.
- The guests emphasize the significance of the film being made by an Indigenous woman director and the challenges faced by Native women creators.
- The film authentically portrays the bureaucratic challenges and lack of communication between government agencies in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women.
- Overall, the guests appreciate the film's strengths and believe it to be a valuable addition to independent cinema centering Indigenous perspectives.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So I enjoyed the film for what it was. I think it is a really interesting picture of Oklahoma, especially native life in Oklahoma.“ by Shay Vassar
- “I'm a little jealous of you, Aisha, for getting to see this during the festival circuit. Cause I could actually see this being a much better experience to see, like, sandwiched between other films, to see it in a theater full of film lovers.“ by Sam Yellowhorse Kessler
- “It's incredible that Erica has been able to jump these barriers and continue to believe in her own projects like this because we don't have a roadmap as native women creators.“ by Shay Vassar
- “The messiness is very well depicted here.“ by Sam Yellowhorse Kessler
- “I loved being able to see that on screen, even though, yeah, it's like, it sucks. These are not like, good systems that exist and they're in horrible relationship with each other, but it's realistic.“ by Shay Vassar
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Episode Information
Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
6/27/24
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