Skins (2002 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skins |
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| Directed by | Chris Eyre |
| Produced by | Brenda J. Chambers Chris Cooney Jeff Cooney Chris Eyre Jon Kilik Jennifer D. Lyne Eugene Mazzola David Pomier Larry T. Pourier |
| Written by | Adrian C. Louis Jennifer D. Lyne |
| Starring | Eric Schweig Graham Greene Gary Farmer Noah Watts Michael Spears Lois Red Elk Michelle Thrush Misty Upham |
| Music by | BC Smith |
| Cinematography | Stephen Kazmierski |
| Editing by | Paul Trejo |
| Studio | Starz Encore Entertainment Grandview Pictures Aboriginal Peoples Television Network |
| Distributed by | First Look Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 2002 |
| Running time | 87 minutes |
| Money made | $249,204 |
Skins is a 2002 American feature film by Chris Eyre and based upon the novel of the same name by Adrian C. Louis. The film is set on the fictional Beaver Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota near the Nebraska border, a place very much like the actual Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the setting in the book and the place where the film was actually shot. Lakota Sioux tribal police officer Rudy Yellow Lodge (Eric Schweig) struggles to rescue his older brother, Mogie (Graham Greene), a former football star who was wounded in combat three times in Vietnam. Winona LaDuke makes a cameo appearance as Rose Two Buffalo.
Themes
Western Expansion and Massacre
The theme of western expansion and the devastating effect this had on Native Americans is most prevalent within the setting of the film. The Pine Ridge Reservation is in the shadow of Mount Rushmore, a gigantic monolith of American expansion and the desecration of sacred tribal grounds. America's founding fathers were carved into a mountain sacred to the Sioux, highlighting the lack of respect by Euro-American cultures for Native Americans. This theme becomes especially prevalent in the final scene, which takes place with Mount Rushmore hovering ominously in the background.
Another aspect of western expansion explored in the film is the fact that the location of the Wounded Knee Massacre is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The mention of the massacre and the honoring of the members of the 7th Cavalry with Congressional Medals of Honor is a not so subtle dig at the suffering Native Americans experienced at the hands of Euro-Americans during their western expansion.
Justice for Native Americans
One of the most intriguing themes explored is that of the white justice for indigenous Americans. The policies of the American government towards indigenous peoples are explored via Rudy becoming a vigilante and pursuing his own idea of justice.
Cast
- Eric Schweig - Rudy Yellow Lodge
- Graham Greene - Mogie Yellow Lodge
- Gary Farmer - Verdell Weasel Tail
- Noah Watts - Herbie Yellow Lodge
- Lois Red Elk - Aunt Helen
- Michelle Thrush - Stella
- Gil Birmingham - Sonny Yellow Lodge
- Elaine Miles as Rondella Roubaix
- Michael Spears - Teddy Yellow Lodge
- Misty Upham - Mrs. Blue Cloud
- Tina Keeper - Dr. Fitzgerald
- Delanna Studi - Francine
Awards
- 2002, Tokyo International Film Festival: Best Actor Award to Graham Greene
- 2003, PRISM Award in the Theatrical Feature Film category
