Uncovering the Truth: The Real Story Behind 'Wind River'
Unveiling real-life struggles in the Indigenous American community, 'Wind River' by Taylor Sheridan brings to light a murder mystery that reflects their experiences With firsthand encounters and artistic freedom, the crew and cast shed light on the challenges faced by Indigenous Americans
Trigger Warning: The following article references sexual violence.
The Big Picture
Taylor Sheridan's film Wind River highlights the stark brutality Indigenous American women endure, shedding light on a widely overlooked crisis. Portraying life on an Indigenous American reservation, the movie exposes the community's struggle with limited resources and challenging circumstances. Through this depiction, the film emphasizes the formidable obstacles hindering the resolution of these pressing issues.
Wind River not only subverts the Western genre but also challenges societal norms through the inclusion of a woman in a position of authority and the significant roles given to Indigenous American actors. However, it has received criticism for still prioritizing white characters.
Taylor Sheridan's artistry consistently explores themes of violence, prompting viewers to question its purpose. Whether through his TV series such as Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923, or his screenplays for Sicario and Hell or High Water, he provokes a moral introspection regarding historical and contemporary issues. Sheridan conveys the devastating nature of violence while acknowledging its potential role in restoring order, albeit with a notion of honor. By incorporating elements from real life, such as the story of Marshal Jim Courtright in Yellowstone's prequel 1883 or battles based on the Civil War, Sheridan enhances the realism and impact of his works, making them appear rooted in actual events. Wind River, his debut directorial feature, although not based on a true story, addresses the distressing and often overlooked realities of missing women and sexual violence within the Indigenous American community.
Wind River is a gripping drama film directed by Taylor Sheridan. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille, Julia Jones, and Teo Briones, this intense crime and mystery movie was released on August 18, 2017. With a runtime of 107 minutes, Wind River will captivate audiences with its compelling storyline.
Taylor Sheridan's 'Wind River' Highlights a Crisis in the Indigenous American Community
Set on an Indigenous American reservation, Wind River stands out as one of the rare films that explore this specific setting. The story follows Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), a rookie FBI agent, as she delves into the brutal murder of Natalie (Kelsey Asbille), a teenage Indigenous American. Unfamiliar with the reservation's ways, Jane seeks assistance from Cory Lambert, portrayed by Jeremy Renner, who also happens to be Jane's co-star from the Avengers franchise. Cory, an officer of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, resides and works within the reservation. Despite featuring Indigenous Americans in significant roles, the film received criticism for its choice of white actors for the lead characters, Jane and Cory. Nonetheless, the narrative draws inspiration from real-life circumstances, shedding light on the alarming levels of violence faced by Indigenous American women.
According to The Guardian, Indigenous American and Alaska Native women experience a rape rate that is more than twice the national average for white women, with an undercount likely due to gaps in data collection. Additionally, CBS News reports a shocking number of missing and murdered Indigenous women in California. These alarming statistics contribute to the relatability of Sheridan's Wind River.
In an interview with The Guardian, Taylor Sheridan shares his experience visiting the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and becoming familiar with the challenges faced by Indigenous communities there. He witnessed firsthand the hostility displayed by the neighboring community towards the reservation's inhabitants. Sheridan recounts being turned away at a gas station simply because he was in the company of Indigenous individuals. He also observed how state police and FBI officers, who were legally unable to make arrests on the reservation, would wait on the outskirts for individuals with active warrants. The Indigenous community asked Sheridan to leverage his position in Hollywood to shed light on their story and to depict the most troubling aspects, emphasizing that the situation is not their fault.
Sheridan skillfully reflects his personal experiences in the film, particularly through the character of FBI agent Jane who pushes for the murder case to be classified as a homicide. This showcases Sheridan's message of the need to address issues of responsibility. Throughout the film, Sheridan subtly poses the crucial question of whom the laws actually serve.
At the heart of Wind River lies a harrowing story involving rape and murder, echoing the countless unresolved cases of Indigenous American women. Sheridan effectively highlights the challenges that make these cases difficult to solve, ranging from systemic issues to limited resources and apathy. The film emphasizes the importance of common sense in addressing these problems. Instead of blindly following the official report, Jane Banner persistently investigates to uncover the truth. This juxtaposition of fiction and reality creates a compelling narrative of realism.
'Wind River' Crew and Cast Experienced Firsthand Some of Indigenous Americans' Challenges
Image via Lionsgate
Rape, disappearances, and unsolved homicides are major problems faced by Indigenous American communities, but the film Wind River sheds light on another issue that often goes unnoticed - the difficult and under-resourced landscape that these communities inhabit. Jane's experience on the reservation demonstrates that life there is far from easy; it's a constant struggle to survive. Jane quickly realizes that she lacks the necessary resources to cope with the harsh weather, relying instead on the knowledge of the locals to navigate the reservation. Even when she is shot, she knows that local amenities are insufficient, and her only hope lies in getting a helicopter airlift.
During the filming of Wind River, the cast and crew got a firsthand experience of the world of Indigenous Americans. Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner mentioned in an interview that moving equipment posed a challenge for the crew due to the snowy terrain. They had to rely on snow tracks, which were not always forgiving. Olsen also mentioned the extreme cold weather, although director Sheridan disagreed, saying it wasn't that cold. Sheridan expressed that shooting in the snow was a difficult task and doesn't wish to do it again. However, they also had some exciting experiences filming alongside coyotes and buffalos.
