News

With production funding provided entirely by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe of Connecticut, "Naturally Native" is an engaging low-budget independent that depicts modern American Indians living off the reservation, trying to stay true to their heritage while struggling with family issues and the world of business.

Well-received at the recent USA Film Festival in Dallas after premiering at Sundance, "Naturally" is mainstream in its approach and succeeds as an ensemble work, but not every subplot and performance is captivating. While the film is well-made, frequently funny and emotionally involving, much of it is predictable, and one too many serious developments almost undermine a generally uplifting but not preachy agenda.

Co-producer, co-director, writer and co-star Valerie Red-Horse ("The Secret of Lizard Woman") plays Vickie, the oldest of three sisters adopted by a Caucasian foster mother and taken away from their tribe as young children.

Filming in her own house in Tarzana, Calif., with co-director Jennifer Wynne Farmer, Red-Horse shows both strengths and vulnerabilities, as does her likable character.

With two children, a large suburban house and a solid, responsible husband (Pato Hoffmann), Vickie is motherly toward younger sisters Karen Kimberly Norris Guerrero), who has just returned from college, and Tanya (Irene Bedard), the prettiest and most defiantly un-Indian of the trio.

With a good job awaiting her in Chicago, Karen is inspired by Vickie to propose that the three start a business selling homemade cosmetics using Native American know-how and natural ingredients. After an initial rush of enthusiastic planning and product testing, they are rudely awakened to their nebulous status in regards to official aid for a start-up business. Their birth records are missing, and the government will not recognize them as a legitimate minority.

Later in the film, in a balanced view of the human obstacles they must overcome, Vickie is roundly accused by an Indian woman at a powwow of trying to cash in on the newfound prosperity many tribes have realized from opening casinos on reservations. Not so, but the leads do feel pride at the sight of one of these lucrative establishments when they return to their own birthplace.

Each of the sisters has personal obstacles to overcome. Vickie longs to take the edge off with an occasional drink but knows alcoholism killed her mother. Karen is a 30-year-old virgin scared to fall in love with an affable, grounded white Guy Collin Bernsen). Tanya rejects an ardent Indian suitor (Mark Abbott) and agrees to a disastrous blind date with a stranger she finds through the Internet.

Other issues touched on are the controversy over Native American images used as sports mascots and the portrayal of Indians in the media, but most memorable are the laughs and tears shared by the three leads. The end credits identify the tribes from which the members of the cast and crew hail, including Red-Horse (Cherokee/Sioux), Bedard (Inuit) and Guerrero (Colville/Salish).

NATURALLY NATIVE

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

in association with Red-Horse Native Prods.

Credits: Directors: Jennifer Wynne Farmer, Valerie Red-Horse; Screenwriter: Valerie Red-Horse; Producers: Valerie Red-Horse, Dawn Jackson, Yvonne Russe; Director of photography: Bruce Finn; Production designer: Kee Miller; Editor: Lorraine Salk; Costume designer: Irene Fredericks; Music: Murielle Hamilton; Casting: Donise Hardy, Jory Weitz. Cast: Vickie Lewis Bighawk: Valerie Red-Horse; Tanya: Irene Bedard; Karen: Kimberly Norris Guerrero; Steve: Pato Hoffmann; Mark: Mark Abbott; Craig: Collin Bernsen. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 108 minutes...