Reel Injun

"Reel Injun," a documentary by Cree filmmakers Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge, and Jeremiah Hayes, explores the evolution of Native American portrayals in cinema from the silent era to the present day. The film travels across the United States, visiting iconic locations in motion picture history and interviewing filmmakers, actors, and film historians about the various stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Native Americans on screen. From the noble savage to the drunken Indian, "Reel Injun" sheds light on Hollywood's practice of using Italian Americans and American Jews to portray Indians, and reveals the stories of Native American actors who broke down barriers in their own careers.