|
INDIANER & INUIT: The 3rd North American
Native Film Festival 2009 in Europe
Organisation
of the Film Festivals
Supported by the German UNESCO commission and the American Indian Film Institute
and Festival in San Francisco, INDIANER INUIT shall
take place from 18–21 March 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany. It is the first
and only festival of its kind in Europe now being held for the third time;
the first festivals were held in 2004 and 2007.
INDIANER INUIT – The North American Native
Film Festival kicks off in Stuttgart thanks to the cooperation of the
municipal cinema, Linden Museum (state museum for ethnology) and the
James Byrnes Institute. It then moves to Leipzig thanks to collaborations
with the Leipzig municipal cinema, and the Grassi museum (museum for
ethnology).
Artistic Direction is in the hands of Media Arts Cultural Event Manager,
Gunter Lange.
Myth and Reality: What is a typical day in the life of an American
Indian or Inuit like? What has happened to their traditions? What can
they expect from the future?
Most of the so-called “Indian films” are built around clichés
and prejudices against Native Americans and First Nations. The true story
is a different one: history bears tale of numerous injustices, which
even today are still suppressed and replaced by romantic conceptions.
The Indian and Inuit festival clears the board and shows films of the
young generation of Native Americans and First Nations that illustrate
the conflict they experience between tradition and global modern life
seen from a personal viewpoint.
Through
these films, they discuss topics such as social, economic and cultural
life/survival in Indian reserves and settlements, the consequences when
Aboriginal children are brutally re-educated, the widely-spread problem
of alcoholism, but also the success of activities that promote preserving
their cultural identity and political confidence. Topics such as present
day life, history and even mythology are portrayed sensitively, interwoven,
and with a profound sense of humour to reveal a kaleidoscope of the reality
the North American Natives experience.
Educational Mission
The concept behind this festival, which is unique to Europe, is a channel providing
international understanding and cultural dialogue. As well as cinema, it
offers the audience the opportunity to personally meet and discuss with the
Aboriginal film producers. Meetings with young people and teachers are an
integral part of the festival. In films, discussions and conversations, new
and exciting and unexpected themes about the culture of the North American
Natives can be discovered – leaving the one-dimensional clichés
about Indians far behind.
Aboriginal Women in the Film Business – Tantoo Cardinal
Retrospective
Indianer & Inuit – The North American Native Film Festival
2007 is dedicated to showing many films that have been made by or star Aboriginal
women in Canada and the US in order to honour and support their work.
Within
the framework of the Tantoo Cardinal Retrospective, for example, films
are presented in which the Canadian actress, Tantoo Cardinal, largely
plays the leading role. Tantoo Cardinal (First Nation), is one of the
most well-known and important Aboriginal actresses in North America and
at the same time a role model for the majority of talented young people
growing up and being educated in “Indian Country”.
As a mother of three children, she has continued to work successfully
in the film business for over three decades and has received international
acclaim and awards for her artistic portrayals in films such as “Dances
With Wolves”, “Black Robe”, “Loyalties”, “Little
Tree” etc..
Success of the Film Festival
Thanks to the successful cooperation between the American Indian Film Institute
and Festival in San Francisco, the Linden-Museum, municipal cinema (KOKI),
the James Byrnes Institute (all from Stuttgart) and the German UNESCO commission
as well as a large number of sponsors, the first Indianer Inuit:
The North American Native Film Festival in November
2004 received great attention from the media and the public.
The festival lives from the teamwork of competent partners, from interaction
with Aboriginal people and the resulting positive atmosphere that makes
intercultural dialogue possible.
I would be very happy - if I have been able to spark an interest for
our concept - to send you further information on INDIANER INUIT – The
North American Native Film Festival 2007. A review of the film festival
in 2004 can be found at: Indianer
Inuit: The North American Native Film Festival 2004
Films as DVD or VHS (PAL and NTSC) can be sent to us at the following
address:
Media Arts Cultural Events
Gunter Lange
Goethestrasse 35
D-78467 Konstanz
German
Photos:
Michael Smith (AIFI President) and John Trudell (Author, Speaker, Musician,
Actor)
Stacy Da Silva and Alex Rice (First Nation Actresses)
Tantoo Cardinal (First Nation Actress)
|