Where to even start. Smoke Signals is based in reality in the same way that I feel Napoleon Dynamite is. Touching on such dark and serious topics with a sense of humor that in a way highlights how silly life can be sometimes. It felt so simple in premise yet so complex in its story.
The juxtaposition between Thomas and Victor was really funny and sweet. I really loved just how kind and understanding Thomas was to Victor throughout the film. I mean, he spent his entire savings just to help him have closure with his father, despite having been bullied by him for so long. Thomas was wise beyond his years, while still being naive (and maybe on the spectrum) and Victor was understandably angry at the world; I don’t know, I just really enjoyed seeing their dynamic. There were many shot-reverse shots of the two of them talking, but I also liked when the two of them were on screen at the same time while talking. Like in the bus, walking to the trailer, and in the truck. It felt less like they were having a back and forth conversation, and more like Victor was being talked at against his will.
Often, there was an editing technique used in which one shot would be in the present, and then they would intercut a shot of the past. The transition is smooth enough that it takes a moment to realize that there was a transition into a flashback of the boys’ childhood. I thought it was very interesting, as it was non-disruptive while also sharing information that otherwise would not have been revealed. In a way, it is like the two of them are stuck in the past. They have yet to grow up, and have been stagnant while staying at the reservation and caring for their family. While Thomas enjoys reflecting on the past and even creating elaborate stories based on his experiences, Victor is forced to be constantly reminded of things he would rather forget. I can’t think of another film that has edited their shots in this way, and I thought that it was a good example of editing being used to enhance the narrative.
There was also a scene towards the end of the film in which Victor is running for help after the car crash that I thought was really well done. As he was running in slow motion as to emphasize how little progress he felt was being made. While running, it dissolved into flashbacks of all of the emotionally impacting moments of Victor’s journey. Until finally, he found help and collapsed. As the climax of the film, it was very impactful and emotional. I found myself tearing up a lot even before this scene, and it was just like the final emotional blow.
It was so nice to see a film with such a large cast of indigenous Americans. I feel like you really don’t see that very often. Also, it was directed by an indigenous man which felt very evident through the film. The experiences that were shown are those that could only truly be accurately portrayed by one who experienced it first hand. I often have a really hard time with movies like Avatar for this very reason. To see how poverty had impacted their tribe, and how many of the problems that they faced were due to circumstances that were out of their control- I just can’t even find the words. I just think that it’s so important for people to all be aware of, and for people to do something about. Maybe it’s a bit different now, but still.
Just what a beautiful film. I felt strangely nostalgic for a time and place that I was never any part of. My heart ached for these fictional characters so deeply. Seeing Victor grow to accept and even forgive his father’s actions was so bittersweet.
The symbolism of the fire too, I just don’t even know what to say. It was so melancholic and yet I was laughing at so many moments. When Victor cut off his hair in a similar way that his dad did after the fire- I mean, come on. I will say though that the wig that they used was TERRIBLE. Like a spirit halloween wig or something.
Where to even start. Smoke Signals is based in reality in the same way that I feel Napoleon Dynamite is. Touching on such dark and serious topics with a sense of humor that in a way highlights how silly life can be sometimes. It felt so simple in premise yet so complex in its story.
The juxtaposition between Thomas and Victor was really funny and sweet. I really loved just how kind and understanding Thomas was to Victor throughout the film. I mean, he spent his entire savings just to help him have closure with his father, despite having been bullied by him for so long. Thomas was wise beyond his years, while still being naive (and maybe on the spectrum) and Victor was understandably angry at the world; I don’t know, I just really enjoyed seeing their dynamic. There were many shot-reverse shots of the two of them talking, but I also liked when the two of them were on screen at the same time while talking. Like in the bus, walking to the trailer, and in the truck. It felt less like they were having a back and forth conversation, and more like Victor was being talked at against his will.
Often, there was an editing technique used in which one shot would be in the present, and then they would intercut a shot of the past. The transition is smooth enough that it takes a moment to realize that there was a transition into a flashback of the boys’ childhood. I thought it was very interesting, as it was non-disruptive while also sharing information that otherwise would not have been revealed. In a way, it is like the two of them are stuck in the past. They have yet to grow up, and have been stagnant while staying at the reservation and caring for their family. While Thomas enjoys reflecting on the past and even creating elaborate stories based on his experiences, Victor is forced to be constantly reminded of things he would rather forget. I can’t think of another film that has edited their shots in this way, and I thought that it was a good example of editing being used to enhance the narrative.
There was also a scene towards the end of the film in which Victor is running for help after the car crash that I thought was really well done. As he was running in slow motion as to emphasize how little progress he felt was being made. While running, it dissolved into flashbacks of all of the emotionally impacting moments of Victor’s journey. Until finally, he found help and collapsed. As the climax of the film, it was very impactful and emotional. I found myself tearing up a lot even before this scene, and it was just like the final emotional blow.
It was so nice to see a film with such a large cast of indigenous Americans. I feel like you really don’t see that very often. Also, it was directed by an indigenous man which felt very evident through the film. The experiences that were shown are those that could only truly be accurately portrayed by one who experienced it first hand. I often have a really hard time with movies like Avatar for this very reason. To see how poverty had impacted their tribe, and how many of the problems that they faced were due to circumstances that were out of their control- I just can’t even find the words. I just think that it’s so important for people to all be aware of, and for people to do something about. Maybe it’s a bit different now, but still.
Just what a beautiful film. I felt strangely nostalgic for a time and place that I was never any part of. My heart ached for these fictional characters so deeply. Seeing Victor grow to accept and even forgive his father’s actions was so bittersweet.
The symbolism of the fire too, I just don’t even know what to say. It was so melancholic and yet I was laughing at so many moments. When Victor cut off his hair in a similar way that his dad did after the fire- I mean, come on. I will say though that the wig that they used was TERRIBLE. Like a spirit halloween wig or something.
