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pow wow highway

posted 12 years ago by intofilm
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There is a movie made a few years befoe this one called Pow Wow Highway that has a somewhat similar theme, about two young men from the reservation, one sort of mystically inclined, the other more pragmatic, going on a road trip out of state to fulfill some obligation, and having adventure on the way. Gary Farmer, who played the Dad in Smoke Signals, is in it, playing the visionary guy. It is a lot more quirky and whimsical than this one , less of a standard story. I liked them both a lot.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Local Hero 8 years ago

By coincidence, I watched the two films in a row, in chronological order (Powwow Highway is nine years earlier). It really is astounding how much they have in common. You can go on and on with details of the plot and characterizations that parallel.

Two differences: PH has a schlocky 80s feel, while SS has a 90s, indie-film feel. PH is about coming to terms with a cultural past, while SS does the same thing through the symbol of the father figure.