In a culture that tends to view Native Americans as either the "bad guys" in a John Wayne film, or as mystical legends like Disney's Pocahontas, Reel Injun is a documentary that attempts to cover the presence and stereotypes of Native Americans in Hollywood. It was released in 2009 to mixed reviews, and won several awards including the Canada Award.
Though most reviewers lauded the filmmakers for calling attention to a significant problem, a complaint many had with the documentary was that it covered too much history too quickly, rendering it less effective than it could have been. One example of such a review can be seen here. Others, though, like this one, called the documentary "impeccably researched and crafted."
Reel Injun is a challenging and thought-provoking film that raises many good questions about stereotypes, and how much media can shape both our culture and our perception of other cultures.
A preview for the film can be seen here.
