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Summary
"Looks Into The Night" is an award winning Native American dramatic short film focusing on American Indian womens' contemporary issues. Based on a true story, it powerfully portrays the profound story of Laura, a medical student in Los Angeles, of Chumash Tribal Decent, who, as a child was "adopted out" and separated from her family after her parents died in a tragic car accident. Disturbing dreams and visions propel Laura on a journey of self-discovery. Through a twist of events, she is reunited with her Chumash family and culture where she learns "We're never alone, not ever!"
Filmed on location at the Chumash Interpretive Center in Thousand Oaks, CA and the Santa Ynez Chumash Reservation near Santa Barbara, CA , "Looks Into The Night" breaks new ground in featuring four American Indian women in a contemporary drama about culture, spirituality and family. Furthermore, every effort was made to ensure that "Looks..." was an American Indian production. Cast and crew were primarily American Indian or of American Indian and First Nation decent representing a variety of tribal affiliations and heritages. Key roles such as Writer, Producer, Executive Producer, Art Director and Music were filled by American Indian professionals working in the film industry. Finally, in addition to the initial grant from the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women, major funding for "Looks..." was provided by several American Indian organizations and Tribal Councils.
"Looks Into The Night" premiered at the 21st Annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco in November of 1996. "Looks..." received the "Best Dramatic Short Video" award at the festival. After a Los Angeles industry premiere in December of 1996, the film will be available for purchase and/or additional screenings. For more information contact Lorraine Norrgard at (218) 879-2288) or Valerie Red-Horse at (818) 705-6972
Awards
Best Live Short Subject-Video: American Indian Film Festival- San Francisco 1996
Nominated Best Dramatic Short: Dream Speakers Film Festival, 1997
Nominated Best Independent Short Film/Video: Minnesota Film Board, 1997
Honorable Mention: Red Earth Film & Video Festival, 1997
Producers Guild Finalist: Santa Clarita International Film Festival, 1997
Festival & Event Screenings
November 9, 1996 Premier Screening: San Francisco American Indian Film Festival
December 9, 1996 Los Angeles Premier: UCLA
December, 1996 East Coast Premier Screening: Long Island Native American Film Festival, New York
January, 1997 Santa Clarita International Film Festival, Santa Clarita, CA
April 11th, 1997 Southwest Premier: Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival: Taos, NM
April, 1997 Plains Premier: Time Out Wacipi, University of North Dakota
May 2nd, 3rd, 1997 Midwest Premier: The Depot, Duluth, MN
May, 1997 Northwest Premier Screening: Seattle Showcase: Best of the American Indian Film Festival, Seattle, WA
May 30, 1997 Canadian Premier: Dream Speakers Native Film Festival, Edmonton, Alberta
May, 1997: Women of Color Film Festival, Santa Cruz, CA
June, 1997 Red Earth Film Festival: Oklahoma City, OK
July 1997 Minneapolis Screening : Two Rivers Film & Video Festival
August 7, 1997 Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Lorraine Norrgard, James Fortier, and Chumash Elder Adelina Padilla at the Dreamspeakers Aboriginal Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, May - 1997.
Actor Eric Schweg and Director of Photography James Fortier at Dreamspeakers '97.
Press Releases
Principal Cast and Credits
Aunt Rose...................................Tantoo Cardinal (Metis/Cree)
Laura........................................Valerie Red-Horse (Cherokee)
Tinker.........................................Kim Norris (Colville/Salish)
Great Grandmother.................Patricia Van Ingen (Cherokee)
Young Laura.............Courtney Red-Horse Mohl (Cherokee)
Executive Producers.................................Lorraine Norrgard
Sonny Skyhawk (Sioux)
Producers.........................Roger Ellis (Southern Cheyenne)
Valerie Red-Horse (Cherokee)
Director..................................................Lorraine Norrgard
Story By................................................Lorraine Norrgard
Screenwriters.....................Valerie Red-Horse (Cherokee)
Marcie Rendon (Ojibwe)
Director of Photography..........................James M. Fortier (Metis/Ojibway)
Art Director......................................Kee Miller (Navajo)
Editor..........................................................Mo Donahue
Music by.......................................................Henrik Yde
Daniel Cecil Hill (Cayuga)
Theme Song by................Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida)
Additional Crew Credits
Assistant Directors................Miguel Najera (Apache)
Tim Ramos (Pomo)
Production Coordinator.........Spooner Greenbird (Ojibway)
Assistant Camera..........................Andre Luchsinger
Key Grip....................Monty Bass (Creek/Sac&Fox)
Best Boy..........Steve Martinez (Yaqui/Commanche)
Grips....................Shawn Michael Perry (Kootenay)
Nik Winterhawk (Cree)
Harrison Lowe (Navajo)
Jared Raines (Wyandotte/Hopi)
Sound Recording.......Tina Toledo Rizzo (Pueblo)
Kat High (Hupa)
Scott Evans
Brent Swanson
Harrison Lowe (Navajo)
Script Supervisor.......Donna Parish (Cherokee)
Make Up and hair..................Melanie Robinett
Sara Chameides
Casting....Marjorie Tannin (Pueblo/Hopi/Kiowa)
"Sincere thanks to the spirit of the owl, deer, hawk, golden eagle and raccoon who gave us their gifts in this production. No animal was injured, killed, or held captive for the purpose of this production. Special thanks to the Chumash people, their ancestors and generations to come...and with deepest gratitude to all our Ancestors..."
Mii-gwetch!
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