Powwow Highway (1989)

Powwow Highway (1989)
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The road movie gets a smart update with this seriocomic tale of two Cheyenne men traveling from their reservation in Montana to New Mexico. For one of them, Buddy Red Bow (A Martinez), a quick-tempered activist, the journey is a practical one; his sister has been arrested and he is the only family member who can help her out. Buddy has no transportation, so he's forced to ride with Philbert Bono (Gary Farmer), a phlegmatic hulk of a man who is using his 1964 Buick as a vehicle for a spiritual journey of his own. Philbert's easygoing ways and insistence on frequent stops to meditate prove irritating at first to Buddy, but the men reach an accommodation as the trip wears on. Buddy comes to see that blaming the white man and what he sees as system rigged against Native Americans is distracting him from his true mission: to better understand himself and his place in the world. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

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Starring:
A. MartinezGary Farmer, (more)
Director(s):
Joanelle Nadine RomeroJonathan Wacks, (more)
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Powwow Highway

The road movie gets a smart update with this seriocomic tale of two Cheyenne men traveling from their reservation in Montana to New Mexico. For one of them, Buddy Red Bow (A Martinez), a quick-tempered activist, the journey is a practical one; his sister has been arrested and he is the only family member who can help her out. Buddy has no transportation, so he's forced to ride with Philbert Bono (Gary Farmer), a phlegmatic hulk of a man who is using his 1964 Buick as a vehicle for a spiritual journey of his own. Philbert's easygoing ways and insistence on frequent stops to meditate prove irritating at first to Buddy, but the men reach an accommodation as the trip wears on. Buddy comes to see that blaming the white man and what he sees as system rigged against Native Americans is distracting him from his true mission: to better understand himself and his place in the world. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
87 mins

Complete Cast of Powwow Highway


Director(s):
Jonathan WacksJoanelle Nadine Romero
Writer(s):
Janet HeaneyJean Stawarz
Producer(s):
Jan Wieringa
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Profanity, Violence, Substance Abuse, Not For Children, Adult Situations, Brief Nudity)
Powwow Highway Awards:
  • 1988 - Sundance Film Festival - Filmmaker's Trophy: Dramatic
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    JEFF C.

    This is probably the best little independent movie you never heard of. It is made by Native Americans but is FOR everyone. It is executive-produced by George Harrison of the Beatles through his indie film company "Hand-made Pictures," and it involves two young Cheyenne men on a long road-trip from their Montana reservation to Santa Fe. One man's vision quest is another man's voyage of necessity. It is a warm and very funny but often vulgar film about the modern native American condition. The language is too strong for the young ones, but this is a must-see for students of Native American culture and religion, American history, or anyone else that loves a good buddy road-trip-movie. It is one of my favorites.

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    Gladys W.

    I enjoyed this "buddy" movie. It tells the take of two unlikely friends who set off on a road trip to save a sibling in New Mexico. Our two lead characters are both in their own private struggles to find themselves as they travel the highway in a rusted old car. It was a little hard for me to suspend my disbelief because some of the scrapes are rather extreme, but although I felt the movie finished rather suddenly, I found myself smiling at the end. This heart warmer is worth seeing!

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    Tammy H.

    I LOVE this movie!I have this in my private collection. The story line is wonderful. Philbert's desire is to earn his spirtname, his spirt is gentle and his dreams are honorable. Buddy has seen vietnam, and Wounded Knee, he's rough around the edges, but his desire to help his tribe and help his sister collide. The 1964 Buick Wildcat is a character itself. The whole family can enjoy this movie if you don't mind the occasional swear word, Buddy and Philberts occasional joint. Be prepared for the eyeopening and shameful view of the life our early fathers left for this proud and beautiful race. The overwhelming poverty that haunts thier lives now.

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