'Black Cloud' scores a knockout

CHINLE, Ariz. - ''Black Cloud'', the film based on the personal triumph of Navajo boxer Cal Bahe who created a boxing club in Chinle, has become an inspiration to American Indian moviegoers.

With movie funding provided by Indian tribes and local Navajos cast for scenes filmed in Canyon de Chelly, Tsaile and Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation, ''Black Cloud'' triumphs.

Phillip Calvin, 16-year-old Navajo, voiced a common reaction from Indian youths and praised Lakota actor Eddie Spears in action as a boxer.

Calvin pointed out that Navajos aren't as concerned with mixed heritage as the film portrays. Still, he said it is a good film.

''It showed me that kids could do well even though their parents might not be around or their parents are alcoholic. It was nice that they cast locally instead of casting a lot of foreign people acting Navajo.''

Spears trained three months with the legendary boxing trainer Jimmy Gambia to prefect his boxing skills. He portrays Black Cloud, a Navajo boxer training for the Olympics, while struggling with the secrets of his family's heritage. It is also a love story.

Director and writer Rick Schroder said Spears was a natural for the lead role. ''As soon as he walked in the door, I knew he was Black Cloud. Eddie is a Lakota Sioux from South Dakota. He's tough and handsome and he rides a horse like he is part of it,'' Schroder said. ''I don't know if there's ever been a character written or developed for an actor as perfect as this role is for Eddie Spears, and it was written without knowing him.''

The ''Black Cloud'' cast includes Russell Means, Julia Jones, Tim McGraw, Peter Greene, Wayne Knight, Tim Sampson and ''Pooch'' Marion Hall.

Schroder said, ''I think of where America's at right now, they need a film with heart. They need a film about youngsters who know how to behave and how to discipline themselves to accomplish their dreams.''

The making of ''Black Cloud'' also reveals an unflattering look at Hollywood. Major motion picture financial backers had no interest in the real life Indian success story. Instead, Hollywood continues to place non-Indians in lead roles in films about Indian people and avoids real-life heroes.

When Schroder went looking for funding, American Indian tribes responded with the needed $1 million, but Hollywood did not.

Pearl Means, Navajo and wife of Russell Means, said the film succeeds in showing that ''we are human beings in the 21st century. We are portrayed with all the feelings, emotions, desires, failures and success as any other race.

''The fact that Rick couldn't get Hollywood to back this shows their innate racism. If we are not shown as drunks, or in period pieces, or with the hero or savior being a white man, like in 'Dances with Wolves' and 'Windtalkers',they are not interested in showing us as real human beings that can succeed.''

Russell Means, who added some of his own dialogue to his portrayal of the hero's boxing coach said, ''This movie offers some very positive firsts for American Indians. It is the first on-screen portrayal of us as contemporary American Indians with feelings, failures, aspirations and successes.''

Means said Schroder was inspired by an article he read in The Los Angeles Times about Navajo boxing coach Cal Bahe, who overcame alcoholism through boxing and established a successful boxing club for Navajo youths. Bahe's son competed in the Olympic trials.

''It is the first time we have been portrayed as our own hero, not some white man coming to save us as Kevin Costner in what I refer to as 'Lawrence of the Plains' or Nicholas Cage in 'Windtalkers.'

''The Navajo and other American Indian Code Talkers were the real life heroes, but Hollywood had to make Cage the hero.''

Means said this is the first movie financed and distributed by a group of American Indian nations. He said tribal funders, including the Tonto Apache and Tohono O'odham in Arizona, enjoyed private screenings and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Now being honored with awards at film festivals across the nation, ''Black Cloud'' captured best ensemble and audience award at the Phoenix Film Festival. At the Nashville Film Festival it was awarded the President's Award.

However, some non-Indian critics in mainstream media, have failed to reflect the film's ability to empower American Indians, especially young people.

Reacting to a review in Arizona Republic, Means responded to the critic's criticism that the characters are stereotypes.

''Sorry folks, our reservations represent all of the typical ills that poverty and lack of opportunity represents. 'Black Cloud' is a beautiful portrayal a young man who against all odds makes it to the Olympic trials. This movie has already empowered indigenous and non-indigenous youths in all the states it has premiered in.''

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