Indian Comics Irregular #81

"Windtalkers" is arguably the biggest Native-themed movie
since "Smoke Signals," which was arguably the biggest
since "Pocahontas." But critics are saying it's something of a bomb--
and they don't mean "da bomb." Some comments suggest the movie's
problems:

Crack the code behind "Windtalkers," and you'll find it's just
another cookie-cutter war flick, complete with stereotypical
characters, overblown battlefield sentimentality and deafening
explosions. (E! Online)

No one in Hollywood has time for a history lesson when there's
stuff to blow up. (Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Given the knee-jerk patriotism of recent war movies, it's
discouraging to see "Windtalkers" evade pertinent facts that could
have recast the doubled-edged issues of racism and loyalty and
made them relevant to contemporary times. (Elvis Mitchell, New
York Times)

A bogus suspense element--the bodyguards have been instructed to
protect "the code" at all costs, implying sacrifice of the code
talkers in dire situations--never makes a particle of sense.
(Gary Arnold, Washington Times)

Monument Valley once again served as the stereotypical location
for the Navajos. (Levi J. Long, Native Voice)

This was supposed to be the story of the Code Talkers, not of the
big-name white actor struggling with a scenario that never really
existed. (Jessica Delos Reyes, Native Voice)

The Indians are seen one-dimensionally as really nice guys.
(Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

Everyone knows Indians are knife fighters, right? So when the
Japanese close in on Yahzee or his close friend Charlie
Whitehorse, each private pulls an Indian knife. (Stephen Hunter,
Washington Post)

A Cherokee veteran offers the final answer:

Today, we honor the codetalkers with heroic stories. Someday, we
will honor their memories with true stories. (Steve Russell,
IMDiversity.com)

Subliminal Message?

Another point worth mentioning is how the visuals reinforce the
film's message. Consider the newspaper ads. In one, Nicolas Cage's
steely gaze dominates. We expect this strong, silent American to
triumph over evil just like John Wayne did.

Behind him is Adam Beach, supposedly the movie's raison d'etre.
Beach is calling for help while he glances at Cage. It's clear whom
the real hero is: the great white hope who will save the day.

The message is even more explicit in another ad. Cage carries Beach
from a war zone to safety. Cage has the same stony, implacable look,
while Beach's eyes are shut and his mouth is gaping. He might be
crying like a baby.

In our history books, saving and civilizing the world is America's
duty. In this ad, Cage, the stoic adult, totes Beach, the mewling
child, on his back. The Indian is literally the white man's burden.

Sadly (for MGM), "Windtalkers" seems to be tanking at the box
office. Is that just a coincidence? I don't think so.

For more on the movie, go to
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/windtlkr.htm.

More PEACE PARTY in the News

PEACE PARTY has made yet another appearance in the media. This time
the Potawatomi Traveling Times featured BlueCornComics.com as a place
to wander on the Web. Meanwhile, some students at Montana State
University-Billings have reviewed the comic for a Native American
Studies class. See http://www.bluecorncomics.com/reviews.htm for
details.

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics