July 2016

Another review of the film of Neither Wolf nor Dog. . .

I just received this in my in-box. Being compared to Easy Rider is no small compliment.

I think this little gem is going to make its way in the world.

EdinburghGuide » Reviews » Edinburgh Film Festival

Film Review: Neither Wolf Nor Dog

By Dylan Matthew

Running time:
110mins

Scottish director Steven Lewis Simpson is no stranger to either the source material for his latest feature nor the guerrilla film making techniques he’s deployed to bring it to life. Based on the book by Kent Nerburn, this adaptation by both author and director depicts Nerburn’s unexpected journey through Native America’s history, culture and landscape.

Nerburn is summoned by Dan, a Lakota Elder who asks him to write a book about his life and his people’s history. Feeling unqualified, unworthy and reluctant he turns the offer down but events conspire to draw him back in. After a blundering false start, Nerburn (Christopher Sweeney) is all but kidnapped and taken on a road trip around the Native American landscape. Stopping off at key landmarks, Dan and his companion Grover (Richard Ray Whitman) try to educate him in their ways, encouraging him to see and write the story in his own way without falling prey to white men’s guilt-ridden cliches of glorifying an indigenous race.

Dan is played by 97 year old Chief Dave Bald Eagle in a wonderfully honest, no-frills way that only such an elderly semi-professional actor could achieve. His aged face, voice and manner was a joy to behold. A veteran of the D-Day landings, Dave Bald Eagle’s worldly experience is etched into his face and being. So good was his performance that when he falls asleep out of boredom whilst listening to Nerburn’s first efforts being read aloud I incorrectly thought he’d nodded off for real.

And so the journey unfolds with the three souls pottering from dreary rural shacks to the magnificent prairies of South Dakota and Nerburn’s understanding is slowly awakened by his benevolent captors. Relative newcomer Sweeney is the perfect foil to his companions more worldly philosophy playing it with charismatic understatement, a fish out of water, begrudgingly grateful for his new insights and friendships.

Unfurling at a leisurely pace, this is a put your feet up and let it gently wash over you road movie and a real coming of age departure for Simpson. His previous independent features such as the thrillers Ticking Man and Rez Bomb were more pacy action affairs. Here the material is given room to breathe. In one outstanding set piece Nerburn, Dan and Grover drink coffee in a roadside cafe. Their brief rest is interrupted by a begging drunk who repeatedly enters and leaves the cafe. It’s both amusing and tragic and without saying very much in the way of dialogue it says a great deal about what has become of some of America’s heritage.

That and several others scenes achieve this quality in spite to the film’s 18 day shooting schedule. To me this sounds like a breakneck speed to make a feature but Simpson likes to work unfussily with a small crew. Undoubtedly this allows for creative freedom but like many guerrilla style films the low to no budget constraints sometimes show up on screen. This is the case here as well where at times the rough edges make themselves known. Easy Rider came to mind, it too had many rough edges, improvisation and a few sleepy moments yet feels like an edgy film holding the viewer to the end. Now put three guys in a car insteadof bikes, subtract the frenetic editing, the rock n roll and the drugs but somehow achieve the same result.

Much of Neither Wolf Nor Dog’s power comes from this rawness and the truth of its source. And much of it’s beautiful to look at whether it’s a landscape or Dave Bald Eagle’s solemn face and delivery which is contrasted and complemented nicely by Richard Ray Whitman’s spiky sarcastic performance which also deserves a mention. There are many good laughs too and a terrific throwaway punchline and visual gag in the last scene.

But most memorably the penultimate scene at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre packs an unexpected emotional punch that lingers long after. Apparently tossing the script aside Dave Bald Eagle improvised his dialogue to Christopher Sweeney and the camera simply followed them. Not that much is seen or said but its deeply affecting as they pass the graves that mark the butchering of dozens of men, women and children by the 7th US Cavalry.

All things considered, including its rough edges, its low budget aesthetic and approach, Neither Wolf Nor Dog is an impressive achievement and feels like an important story made with passion and deserves to be seen by audiences beyond the festival circuit.

Neither Wolf Nor Dog received its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival earlier this year.

Another review of the film of Neither Wolf nor Dog. . . Read More »

Early Alert: A showing of the film of Neither Wolf nor Dog

We are still ironing out the details, but I have made arrangements with the South Dakota Festival of the Book to show the film of Neither Wolf nor Dog at the festival in Brookings, South Dakota, on Friday, September 23rd at 1 p.m.

This will be a low-key affair — a gathering of you who have cared about the book over the years and have wanted to see the film you have waited for so patiently.

Here is what the program will say:

Neither Wolf nor Dog: The Journey Continues

Kent Nerburn will host a showing of the film of his award winning book, Neither Wolf nor Dog. Director and film maker Steven Simpson will be in attendance and the two of them will discuss the film and do a Q and A after the showing.

As you can see, Steven Simpson, the director, will be present as well.

Ever since I began getting published, I have made it a practice to stay close to you, my readers.  I look upon us as a family.  We’ve been down some interesting roads together — some rough, some smooth.  Some of you I’ve met, others have communicated with me by email, and some of you have remained quietly in the background.  But you’ve been there for me and I’ve tried to be there for you.  Our mutual loyalty and personal relationship means the world to me.

This is a chance for us who have shared in the journey to get together around a very sweet film adaptation of the book so many of you have loved.  I will write more later, but I wanted to get this message out now that the event has been finalized.

Personally, I love the South Dakota Festival of the Book.  It, too, is a family event with good people, good books, and good conversation.  Much like the state itself, it is an undiscovered gem.

If you want to find out more or sign up to attend, here is the website:  http://sdhumanities.org/festival-of-books/.

Because this came together at the last minute, you may find no mention of the session in the website materials or catalogue.  But, rest assured, it is happening, and it will be a great time.

 

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