Mile Post 398
Mile Post 398 is a 2007 independent drama film written, directed and produced by Shonie and Andee De La Rosa, it is also the first featured film in cinema history that an all-Navajo team wrote, produced, directed, filmed and starred in.
| Mile Post 398 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Shonie De La Rosa Andee De La Rosa |
| Produced by | Shonie De La Rosa Andee De La Rosa |
| Written by | Shonie De La Rosa Andee De La Rosa |
| Starring | Beau Benally Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III Gerald Vandever James Junes Kim White KJ White Dwayne Lake |
| Music by | Aaron White Yaiva Coalition Ethnic De Generation |
| Cinematography | Shonie De La Rosa |
| Edited by | Shonie De La Rosa |
| Distributed by | Sheephead Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English Navajo |
Filmed almost entirely in Kayenta, Arizona, as well as in several other locations in the surrounding region, (Black Mesa, Chinle, Many Farms and Tsegi). It was an official selection of the American Indian Film Festival and Monument Valley Film Festival.
Plot
Taking place on the Navajo Nation, Cloyd Begay (Beau Benally), has been a victim of alcohol abuse and domestic violence throughout his childhood in result having him resorting to alcohol to repress his memories. As he is willing to take responsible for his life and as husband and father, his drinking buddies Jimmy (Gerald Vandever) and Marty (James Junes) cultivate in having Cloyd continue their carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying, preventing him to change. All the while, his wife Lorraine (Kim White) and son Michael (KJ White) begin to lose hope in him and seriously consider leaving him. As the ensuing events unfold, it leads him making the choice that will change his life forever.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
| Beau Benally | Cloyd Begay |
| Gerald Vandever | Jimmy, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies |
| James Junes | Marty, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies |
| Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III | Ray Yazzie, Cloyd's friend |
| Kim White | Lorraine Begay, Cloyd's wife |
| KJ White | Michael Begay, Cloyd's son |
| Dwayne Lake | Steven, Cloyd's boss |
| Anthony "Horse" Yellowhorse | Horse, Bootlegger |
Awards
| Year | Award | Winner/Nominee | Category | Result |
| 2007 | American Indian Film Festival | Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III | Best Supporting Actor | Won |
| Fargo Film Festival | Shonie and Andee de la Rosa | Native American Voices/Best Narrative Feature | Won | |
| Tulalip Film Festival | Shonie and Andee de la Rosa | Best Drama | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Won | |||
| 2008 | Talking Stick Film Festival | Beau Benally | Best Actor | Won |
See also
- G, a documentary on methamphetamine use on the Navajo Nation, by the same filmmakers
- James & Ernie, a Navajo comedy duo