"Wind River" Succeeds in Portraying Injustices Inflicted on Native American Women, Yet Indulges in the White Savior Complex

            “Wind River” stands as a strong well-rounded story with metaphors, embodies injustices inflicted on Native American women in the U.S, but also indulges in the “white savior” complex. This powerful narrative uses symbolism, such as the upside-down flag in the intro, commenting on the urgent help the Indian reservation needed. The film turns terrifying statistics on the disappearance of Native American women into a scary reality. While standing as a strong story, it can’t help but to indulge in the “white savior complex,” where a white character rescues people of color from their plight. “Wind River” delivers a vital message on the lack of statistics on Native American women going missing, while also providing a memorable murder mystery.

            According to the United States flag code, the flag should only be displayed with the union down when signaling dire distress […]. With that fun fact kept in mind, the opening shot of the upside-down flag being hit by the strong cold wind, forms a deeper impact.  “Wind River” follows a wildlife officer and an FBI agent solving the mystery behind the death of a young woman in an American Indian reservation. Within the story following the murder mystery, the wildlife officer is on a mission to kill a group of lions killing livestock. The job task the officer faces is parallel to the truth behind the death of the 18-year-old Native American woman, where another pack of lions is responsible.

            While the movie delivers a compelling story, it also manages to inform it’s audience of the morbid statistics surrounding Native American women. Without giving too much away, the film shares a quote at the end; “While missing person statistics are compiled for every other demographic, none exist for Native American women.” According to the New York Time’s article, “Higher Crimes, Fewer Charges on Indian Land,” tribal members have sued the government for declining prosecutions. Director Taylor Sheridan shared research done before shooting the film with Newsweek, like how it wasn’t until 2013, that “sexual assault of a Native woman by a non-Native couldn’t be prosecuted because it was a state crime on federal land…[.]” The lawsuit was an example of how the United States attorney’s office has a tendency of declining cases where the victims are Native American.

            While Native American actors played the criminal, meth-head, and victim, it would’ve been interesting to have another Native American actor as the good guy of the film. The lead character helps solve the case behind the death of a young woman, and also can’t help but to learn something about himself in the process. It makes sense why the FBI agent brought in to help would be of another race, since she’s an outsider. Yet, the lead male role was brought in because of his knowledge of the area, so it would be understandable if he were Native American, but was not. The film sadly fell into the white savior genre.  

            “Wind River” is an intriguing murder mystery set in a natural beautiful environment. Symbolism and metaphors adorning this film give way to a satisfying aftertaste. Director Taylor Sheridan succeeds in portraying the injustice inflicted against Native American women in the U.S. Even though the film partakes in the long cinematic tradition of the white savior complex, it still succeeds in many forms. The acting, scenery, and purposeful shots, are delivered eloquently in this motion picture. 

Check out the trailer and give the movie a shot, you won't regret it! 

Prevenge: Who Would Suspect a Pregnant Woman of Murder?

   “While people search for a purpose, I already got one.” This modern take on the horror genre portrays a pregnant woman committing murder in the name of revenge, hence the title. Prevenge is a well written story, accompanied by an amazing cast, and complimented by shots telling a story in a single frame. One of the best qualities of this film is how it delivers a different type of heroine. Who would suspect a middle class pregnant woman of murder? We’re able to dig deeper into the psychology behind each character through great use of foreshadowing. This movie not just delivers some gory, creepy scenes, but some good comedic moments, as well. Prevenge exemplifies on the difficult choices one has to make; life or death? Seek revenge, or sit at home angry? 

 

Each cast member has a moment to shine, and takes advantage of it, leaving us a good aftertaste with each scene. There are moments when one can’t stop to think, what lead actor would do that?!?! After looking up the movie on Wiki, it all made sense, the lead actress is also the writer and director- making it even more worthy of praise. The rest of the actors either make us sympathies with them, yet hate them to the point where we can’t wait for that knife to enter them - with that being said, thank you for the impeccable acting. Congratulations to the casting director for bringing together a talented assemble. The cast succeeds in delivering dark humor, eerie moments, and convincing performances.  

  The entire production team behind Prevenge produced a great new-age horror film. The story follows a woman seeking revenge for the death of her husband. There are moments where doubts emerge, but they’re quickly silenced by that little creepy voice inside her head. Throughout the movie, the lead character hears a voice urging her to continue with avenging her husband’s death. It’s understood that she believes the voice to be of her unborn child. She even avoids her sonograms because she fears what may be growing inside of her. This film interestingly turns the tables by making a person who society would perceive as vulnerable, into this horror film’s knife wielding psychopath.  

The director of photography, location scout, special make-up effects supervisor, all did a great job at pulling us into this story. This film could have been made as a dark comedy, but keeps the horror genre present at all time, either through blood on the floor, a creepy voice over, or eerie images. The foreshadowing in this movie is done very subtle. While Ruth, our pregnant murdering heroine, converses with a midwife, she’s told that the baby is in control now, to just give into it, if only the midwife knew she was green-lighting a murdering spree. 

A fan of the horror genre? Please watch this movie! You won’t regret it.