You might remember hearing of the film Fancy Dancer, a documentary film project by Isaac Trimble a few years back in which he documented the process of learning culture and wellness by fancy dancing. Well he's involved in a new project which has already received accolades in the industry.
Produced by Isaac Trimble, and directed by LaRonn Katchia, short film Missing Indigenous boasts an all Native American crew, lovingly known as Team RedFawn. The film recently won “Best Film” and “Best Cinematography” in Portland’s 48 Hour Film Project, and seeks to tell a story of a people too often underrepresented among mainstream audiences.
From the film's synopsis:
Set in a rural reservation town, Missing Indigenous begins as two detectives, played by Solomon Trimble (Sam Uley of Twilight), and Isaac Trimble (Producer) investigate the homicide of a young woman marked with a killer’s deadly signature. With the assistance of entomologist Brett Rivers, played by actor David Velarde, the detectives soon realize Brett may have a lead on this murderer’s lethal trademark. Taking them on a mysterious journey through the dense forests of the reservation, the detectives are soon on the trail of an elusive, faceless killer. What unfolds is a heart wrenching story of a silent epidemic, the disappearance of Native American and Indigenous women.
Meet the Cast and Crew
Director: LaRonn Katchia
LaRonn Katchia is a 27-year-old Director/Cinematographer/ tribal member of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and is currently pursuing a passionate filmmaking career in Portland, OR. LaRonn grew up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and has lived there for 18 years of his life transitioning to the city of Portland for film school. His love and passion for film reside from the influence of the commonly mistreated portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood films today.
“My mission is to change the Native stereotypes of film and get it right this time. The Native American perspective is what's missing in Hollywood today and needs to be brought to light. There are too many untouched original stories waiting to be filmed, and that being filmed by a Native American director.”
Some of LaRonn's influences are Directors Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorcesse, Christopher Nolan, Chris Eyre and Damien Chazelle for their innovative styles in filmmaking. LaRonn would also like to create a 6 episode series for Missing Indigenous followed up by his first feature film, “The Power of Dance” which centers around three characters as we follow their dramatic journey on the powwow circuit.
Lead Actress: Hope Garcia
At 16 years old, Hope Garcia (Aztec) is a young addition to the crew! She was signed by a talent agent in Boise, Idaho when she was 12 years old. After seeing a billboard advertising a talent agent, she thought acting would be fun and gave it a shot. Hope was already singing with the All City Honor Choir at that time and she later auditioned and was accepted into the Opera Idaho children's choir. Music and acting run deep in her bloodline, as her grandfather is a known singer and songwriter in Idaho and her great-grandmother was a radio actress. She also has a cousin who is a director and producer in the film industry.
Hope is currently in high school and plans on attending college so she can get her Bachelor of Fine Arts!
Producer: Isaac Trimble
Isaac Trimble (Apache / Yaqui) is a well-known and respected flute artist, and film producer in the Northwest. His love for the performing arts started in 1988 when he first joined a group called Raven Wind Players formed by playwright Maury Evans. Isaac's passion for theater and film comes from wanting to make sure Native Americans are accurately portrayed.
Some of Isaac's favorite actors include Viggo Mortensen, Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, and Graham Greene. Favorite directors include Chris Eyre, Quentin Tarantino, Alice Anderson, and Katherine Hardwick.
So how did he meet Director LaRonn Katchia?
“I met Director LaRonn Katchia when we did a commercial together, we clicked. We also did not know any other Native people in film or doing a film in our town. Not long after we had our first collaboration on the set of “Awakening” Since then LaRonn and I have collaborated on many short films, music videos, and a TV show. The 48 Hour Film Project was our first collaborative competition together.”
The cast and crew of Missing Indigenous are motivated to keep authentically and accurately representing Native American lives, communities, and realities through the film. After winning at Portland’s 48 Hour Film Project, they have their eyes set on another win at Filmapalooza in Paris, France which takes place next March 2018. Additionally, they plan to enter Missing Indigenous into other film competitions, festivals, and are currently creating a pilot for a Tv show.
If you'd like to help the crew get to France for the film festival, please check out their GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/SendaFilmTeamtoFrance.
