Navigation » List of Schools, Subjects, and Courses » English 313 – Studies in Popular Culture » Discussion » Discussion Circle: Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (2009) – Post due Wed 4/6, Replies due Fri 4/8 – The Fab Four » Discussion Circle: Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (2009) – Post due Wed 4/6, Replies due Fri 4/8 – The Fab Four Sample Answers
Before Wednesday:
- First, watch the documentary Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (2009)
- You can watch this film for free here: Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (2009)Links to an external site.
- Unfortunately, this film is no longer available through Kanopy. I was able to find it for free through another CSUN source, but it has non-optional French subtitles and the video quality is not great. There are also English subtitles, optionally. I’m sorry, but this is the best I can do on short notice!
- If you have Amazon Prime, you can watch this film in higher quality there.
- Content Warnings for this film include: racism, movie violence (clips) and brief non-sexual frontal nudity
- Then, answer the following response questions (200 words minimum):
- What is your response to the issues of representation brought up by this film?
- Did anything about this documentary surprise/shock you? Did you learn something you were previously unaware of?
- This documentary focused on Native representation in film. Can you think of at least one other group of people for whom accurate representation in film is (or has been) a struggle? What are some of the main issues facing that group when it comes to representation? (Issues with representation can include the accuracy, frequency, or agency of representative characters)
- Lastly, write a thought-provoking discussion question for your group about an issue or issues brought up by this film.
Before Friday:
- Respond to each of the other students in your group (at least once) and answer their discussion question in a thoughtful response post!
- Please note that you also have another film assignment due at the end of the week on Sunday, 4/10
General Tips for Responses:
- Think/read/watch critically. Make note of your reactions as you read/watch/listen.
- Every main post should be a minimum 200+ words. Write as much as you like, but make sure it is at least 2 paragraphs and 200 words minimum.
If you are responding to a non-written text (like audio/video or film) you might also ask:
- What social or ideological messages does this work convey, whether intentionally or not?
- What do I think of its style or its use of form?
- Which moments leap out at me for visual, auditory, or dramatic reasons?
- Which scenes or moments challenge or disturb me?
I felt different emotions about the representation of American Indians in the film. At some point I felt angry and sad, it was sad because the portrayal in the media was inaccurate and disregards the rich history and culture of the Indians. On the other hand, I