Smoke Signals
(Movies)

"Produced in association with Welb Film Pursuits, Ltd."

Originally released as a motion picture in 1998.

Based on short stories found in The Lone Ranger and Tonto fistfight in heaven / by Sherman Alexie.

Director of photography, Brian Capener ; editor, Brian Berdan ; music, BC Smith ; production designer, Charles Armstrong ; art direction, Jonathan Saturen ; set decoration, Dawn Ferry ; costume designer, Ron Leamon ; executive producers, David Skinner, Carl Bressler ; co-producers, Sherman Alexie, Chris Eyre.

Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer, Tantoo Cardinal, Cody Lightning, Michelle St. John, Robert Miano, Molly Cheek, Simon Baker, Monique Mojica, Elaine Miles, Michael Greyeyes, Leonard George, John Trudell, Darwin Haine, Tom Skerritt, Cynthia Geary, Perrey Reeves.

Primarily filmed in Idaho, including the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, Coeur d'Alene, Plummer, DeSmet, Tensed, and Worley. Also filmed in Washington State-- Spokane, Soap Lake, and Sun Lakes State Park, Coulee City.

The lives of two young Native American men, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, were literally connected by accident when both were infants and Arnold, Victor's father, saved Thomas's life. The two have radically different memories of Arnold Joseph-- Victor only remembers his father's alcoholism, abuse, and abandonment, while Thomas prefers to remember Arnold as a hero, exaggerating Arnold's life and deeds in a mythmaking fashion that drives Victor crazy. When Arnold dies, Thomas offers Victor funding for the trip from Idaho to Phoenix to get Arnold's remains, but only if Thomas goes with him. In Phoenix, a confrontation with the reality of the dead man's legacy has a profound effect on both young men. Smoke signals is the first feature film written, directed, and co-produced by a Native American.

PG-13; for some intense images.

DVD, widescreen presentation; Dolby Digital.

English audio.

American Indian Movie Award, American Indian Film Festival, 1998 ; Newcomer of the Year (Chris Eyre and Sherman Alexie), Florida Film Critics Circle Awards, 1999 ; Best Debut Performance (Evan Adams), Independent Spirit Awards, 1999 ; Satyajit Ray Award, London Film Festival, 1998 ; Audience Award and Filmmaker's trophy, Sundance Film Festival, 1998 ; Taos Land Grant Award, Taos Talking Picture Festival, 1998 ; Best Artistic Contribution Award (Chris Eyre (director)-- tied with The Red Violin), Tokyo International Film Festival, 1998.