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The Business of Fancydancing | Year: 2002 Classification: Drama Directed: - Sherman Alexie Actors/Actresses: - Evan Adams - Michelle St. John Who are we? I am teaching, these days, a course on postcolonial literature in Mexico and, for my sutudents sake, I just wish this film had Spanish subtitles. I believe it just mananages to reveal, to display, to express what is it to be living in the margin (or the multiple margins) of society. If being a writer is not being an exemplary subject, being a poet is a bit less; if being from another culture is 'in', being native is a bit less; if sexuality is losing its axial presence, being 'gay', chicken or not, is also less 'important'. This movie makes it clear that third cultures are out there. That hybridity is the matter of the day. Is it not politically transparent? Well, nothing is anymore. Life is burdened with ambivalences, ambiguities; with a multiplicity of meanings for each action, choice, value, word, and whatever we do. The time of black and white (TV) should end. The empire is being threatened from inside its own belly (as it happened with every single empire in history). This movie is a must for whoever wishes to ilustrate how complicated life in the margins is. Powerful dramatically and musically... When I first started watching this film, I was not totally engaged in its early minutes and I wondered if I had bought a loser. This is the kind of movie that has to be watched from start to finish. There are so many messages in this movie and the Native American messenger carries messages for almost everyone who lives, breathes, and is human. Life on today's reservations, be it the Spokane or Pine Ridge in South Dakota is one of the America's dirty little secrets. Reservation residents don't live very long, do battle with alcoholism and die from depression, hopelessness and sorrow every day. Harsh truths that few people know about. In this movie we see the struggles of those who manage to leave the reservations, those that stay and those that try to return. Leaving the reservation is only part of the battle, living in the outside world is still tough and Seymour, the lead in this movie, is gay on top of all else. This is a powerful, powerful movie and some people won't want to hear what it has to say. Michelle St. John gives a wonderful performance as a young woman of both white and native heritage. Another struggle as she returns to her native roots and environment. Michelle should sing more. She has an incredible voice, and an incredible, emotional delivery. Her music and that of Swil Kanim, the violinist, Mouse...are wonderful. ...buy the movie, buy the CD...its all good. Five frybread rating! Poetically intriguing! I am sure Alexie will be criticized for showing the ugly side of reservation life along with the beauty, but this film sticks with you. It addresses all the angles. It shows the intra-tribal prejudice that happens when someone leaves the rez and becomes successful, and the ones who could have, but chose not to. The images of childhood innocence woven with gasoline huffing and Lysol sandwiches are sad and beautiful at the same time. The great dialog, Alexie's writing, great casting and cinematography make this all around good. It has more "meat" than Smoke Signals, I highly recommended it. Buy The Business Of Fancydancing at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Business Of Fancydancing Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Business Of Fancydancing This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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