European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 25, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Films take new clearer idol at a Indian culture Julie Lew new York times the Hollywood Indian a species As strange As any Ever to have been born in the make believe kingdom a has come a Long Way since its appearance a i u ask a b Ood thirsty Savage or babe in the Woods who talked to the animals. But it has been a Tough and painful struggle that some american indians say is a Battle still the latest example is the american Indian actors uproar Over the casting of Lou Diamond Phillips m the Lead role of a Navajo in Robert Redford a project the dark wind. Phillips claims to be part Cherokee but is considered a non Indian. On other hand there is dances with wolves an ambitious big Money attempt at american Indian cultural accuracy. Its a period piece that unfolds on the great Plains in which Kevin Costner makes his directorial debut. A this will probably be the biggest and most culturally accessible movie on indians a said Floyd Westerman a red Crow who plays the tribal chief ten bears in the film. Costner who co produced the film with Jim Wilson plays a Union army Cavalryman who goes West to command a fort that turns out to have been abandoned. With Only his horse and a Friendly Wolf for company Dunbar soon finds himself drawn into the Sioux tribe adopted and Given the name a dances with  the Crew spent about six months in pre production much of it toward insuring authenticity in the $18 million  weren to Many shortcuts a Wilson said. A the film makers Job today is to make it real whether its about native americans or eskimos or Blacks. You be got to be True to the  after scouting locations throughout North America the Crew shot most of the film in South Dakota the heart of Sioux country. The cast including Costner was Given a three week cram course in Lakota the language of the Sioux by Doris Leader charge an instructor at site Gelska College on the Rosebud reservation in rapid City . About 30 percent of the dialogue is in Lakota much of it subtitled. Leader charge who was cast in the film also translates the screenplay into Lakota for accuracy. Wardrobe and prop details too received meticulous attention. Elsa Zamparelli the costume designer combed the country for 625 Bearskin needed for the costumes and enlisted the help of Cathy Smith a 19th-Century Plains Indian expert and South Dakota native As technical adviser. The teepees were built from an authentic blueprint drawn by an Indian expert. All of the Indian roles were played by North american Indian actors including Rodney Grant Graham Greene and Tattoo Cardinal. Although the Lead character in a dances with wolves is a non Indian Many american indians believe that the Box office Appeal of Costner who starred in a no Way out and a afield of dreams a will attract the attention american indians want. A a we re in a period where we re going to see that a commercial project on american indians is going to make it said Michael Smith director of the american Indian film Institute in san Francisco. A the major test is going to be the Kevin Costner film. If that works especially with Robert Redford coming on with his film we re going to find out if there a a Market for Indian  a recent portrayal of contemporary american indians in this country was the 1989 movie a powwow Highway a which Drew Praise from Many indians. Some people disliked the movie because it perpetuated stereotypes such As Drunken american indians. Some also Felt that the casting in the Lead of a Martinez who is not a full blooded Indian recalled the old Hollywood conventions. A a when the final results come in its always a non Indian a said Bob Hicks former executive director of the american Indian registry. A they always say that they can to find anybody to play the Lead  in the Case of a the dark wind a for example Redford and the producer Patrick Markey said they spent More than a year looking for an american Indian actor to play Jim Chee the Navajo detective. In the end they picked Lou Diamond  of us were committed to finding a native american to play that role. But we did not feel that we were Able to come up with someone who could open the movie and make the movie succeed. Its a very delicate situation and one with which we re very empathetic with their  in casting Lou Diamond Phillips who seems to be the actor of Choice for Indian roles these Days and who claims to be part Cherokee Markey a said a a he a a very Good actor he can open a movie and he a someone whom the american Public will buy tickets to see. He a also seriously concerned with native american  a a Orion pictures some scenes from a dances with wolves a above right Nathan Lee chasing his horse Jason Lone Hill and Michael Spears play Sioux boys. Center Floyd red Crow Westerman is ten bears. Above Kevin Costner fifth from left rides with the Sioux. But most american Indian actors want what All actors want a a Chance to play the Lead. And that wont happen Hicks said until american indians take part behind the cameras As producers and directors. We can to depend on Hollywood and Why should we a he said. A we need to do our own projects. A a i think we just have to find our own Spike  weekend with we Ives started in the Mes Movle Clr Cui this november 25,1990 sunday to plus Page 5