Filmmaker taking 'Miss Navajo' on rez tour
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times
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(Courtesy photo)
Independent filmmaker Billy Luther, left, wants to screen his documentary "Miss Navajo" on the reservation and is looking for anyone who would like to schedule the show. He is pictured here with Crystal Frazier, a former Miss Navajo Nation contestant.
Navajo filmmaker Billy Luther wants to introduce his 2006 film "Miss Navajo" to reservation audiences.
He's set aside the week of June 15 to 22 and is hoping to schedule as many screenings as possible at venues across Navajoland.
"What we're looking at is getting in touch with some people who are interested in screening 'Miss Navajo,'" Luther said in a recent telephone interview. "We're looking at anywhere and everywhere. This is for the people who have not seen it and want to see it. It's going to be free."
Outside the reservation, "Miss Navajo" has attracted quite a bit of favorable attention. It was selected to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival and recently was featured on PBS for a nationwide audience.
The film examines the 2006 Miss Navajo Nation contest, following one contestant in particular.
As it unfolds, the viewer learns much about traditional Navajo culture, and also something about the struggle to keep the old ways alive. Luther is the son of a former Miss Navajo, who inspired his interest in making the film.
For people who don't go to Sundance, and missed it on the small screen, Luther plans to show more of the film than what's been seen so far - a director's cut.
"The director's cut is about 61 minutes," he explained. "The one that PBS showed was 51 minutes. I will also be showing some deleted scenes from the film during the screenings. There will also be a Q&A after each of the screenings."
The film has created a buzz and has received positive reviews since its release, although like many independent films and documentaries, it has yet to be blessed with a general release deal.
"Eye-opening... inspiring... spectacular cinematography..." said Variety Review.
That's not all Luther has planned for the reservation screenings.
"There will be giveaways like the music, the score that people have been asking for," he said. "It will not only give the people who have not seen the film a chance to see it but to also ask questions about it, how it was made and about filmmaking."
For the people interested in filmmaking, this will be an opportunity to learn about careers as a filmmaker, Luther noted. He will have printed information to hand out at the screenings, he added.
The idea is to get as many screenings as possible scheduled all across the reservation, he said. "We're talking about multiple screenings at the same time."
"I hope to have screenings in Kayenta while at the same time there is another in Crownpoint," Luther said.
All he needs are interested persons who want to assist in scheduling and organizing screening events.
The invitation is extended to schools, chapter houses, community centers, churches, and other public venues.
So far screenings are planned for the Phil L. Thomas Performing Arts Center in Shiprock, the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, and the Brooks/Isham Performing Arts Center in Kirtland, N.M.
Luther is financing the screenings with his own money, but welcomes donations to help with his travel expenses for that week.
Information: billyluther@gmail.com.
Comment on this story!
14 comments so far (post your own)This is great! We have an Annual Southwest Native American Film Festival every October in Flagstaff, Arizona @ MNA. It would be great to feature this and all inspiring native film makers work at this event. Spread the word!!
Posted by Flagstaff on Wednesday, 05.14.08 @ 12:05am MDT | #438
Damn..... i like look'in at boyz legs and i love my boy friend Alexander Sage....he is so fine!!!!...
Posted by Edison Shorthair on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 01:50pm MDT | #437
hey how are you doing? me im good but just a little honey and i get cranky....im so GAY!!!....
Posted by corey johnson on Monday, 05.12.08 @ 02:19pm MDT | #436
hey navajo times i love u
Posted by Lambert Yazzie on Monday, 05.12.08 @ 02:14pm MDT | #435
what up my Dine Nativez " bigg ups" on the newz ya'll provide
Posted by Charlton on Monday, 05.12.08 @ 01:15pm MDT | #434
its great to hear postive thinking about our tradition and our values as women in this day an age. I have a neice that would love to become the next Miss Navajo and we as a family try to tech her the old way and I think it would be good for not only her but other kids to see what its like to be Miss Navajo. if you have a listing of show will it be posted in the Navajo Times. Keep up the good work.
Posted by phxeb on Saturday, 05.10.08 @ 12:31pm MDT | #433
Hey #428, you're letting your thinking centered around you know "WHAT."
If the Arthur's film got favor viewing, he needs to pit his film against other films at the theaters. Let the movie goers decide.
Posted by WomanizerFromShiprock on Saturday, 05.10.08 @ 09:40am MDT | #432
Mr. Arthur, have you considered any interest in filming a documentary about our Chief Maneulito? or Norbana? Like other Tribes, they too have brought the strength, courage, pride and RESPECT
to our people. In reality, we as Navajos are not all about Hogans, tending livestock, or dressing up for the typical "Hollyweird" spectators, we were totally different when we were as One with the Apaches (The other Dine- as the old ones pronounced).
Overall, we all appreciate your time and effort to bringing our culture in the public eye, Thanks!
Posted by Dine on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 08:47pm MDT | #431
Dang tat is all kick ass man. Wish i could do tat but anyways tat is very kwl. hope everything goes well.
Posted by Ian on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 05:33pm MDT | #430
I saw this on PBS a few months ago and it was really great! Keep up the good work, Billy, Crystal and all future Miss Navajo contestants!
Posted by Dancing Rabbit on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 02:01pm MDT | #429
Hey Billy Arthur...are you married? Just kidding, but I'd love to see this documentary, I heard it was amazing. Best wishes and keeping doing good works. We need positive and creative projects such as this. Thank you to Navajo Times for featuring this, I would strongly advocate that you sponsor an event to show people this film. Think is over seriously. Very cool event.
Posted by WOW on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 12:18pm MDT | #428
Arrr, flemarket pirates stay home!!!
Posted by Bug Slayer on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:49pm MDT | #427
Luther's project is such a wonderful medium for allowing the public a true glimpse of Navajo traditions and the beauty surrounding the Miss Navajo Pageant. Although, I have not seen the film I am excited about the upcoming screenings. This gives our communities the opportunity to see something other than the overpopularized and commercialized movies only avaibable in Harkins Theaters. Reservation screening projects like Luther's is a refreshing insight into the Navajo reservation's future entertainment possibilities. Kudos to Luther and the Native American independent film makers with actors!
Posted by Annette White on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 04:54pm MDT | #426
NICE ARTICLE THATS ALL KICK ASS damn i wish i can work like that
Posted by TAYLOR YOUNG on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 04:32pm MDT | #425