The launching of an acclaimed new movie will highlight a full day of activities at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre on Friday as the centre celebrates National Aboriginal Day.
“We’re very excited about the launch of this film in our theatre at the cultural centre and very excited to have the film’s director, Travis Hamilton, coming to Osoyoos from Arizona to participate in the event,” said Derek Bryson, marketing manager for the cultural centre in Osoyoos.
Since the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre opened at its current location at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Spa and Resort in 2006, the film Coyote Spirit has been playing daily.
Being able to show Hamilton’s acclaimed More Than Frybread is exciting, said Bryson.
“I had heard about this film through word-of-mouth and Hamilton had sent out a mass notification to First Nation organizations across North America several months ago,” he said. “I contacted him this past spring and we talked about the movie and what we do here at the cultural centre.
“We kept in touch and eventually worked out a deal where he would give us sole rights to show the movie here in B.C.”
More Than Frybread has been receiving rave reviews since it was released, said Bryson.
“It’s a satirical comedy that pokes fun at First Nations people and their obsession with bannock, or frybread, as many people call it,” he said. “It’s very well done and very funny and we’re thrilled to have the movie coming to our theatre.”
The official premiere of More Than Frybread is scheduled for 7 p.m., and will culminate a full day of activities on National Aboriginal Day at the cultural centre.
Guided cultural walks will begin at 10 a.m.. There will be a Snakes Alive show at 11:30 and frybread demonstration at 3 p.m. A prayer and smudge ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m., with a drumming and dancing performance by Russell Podgurny set for 6 p.m.
Martin’s film is set at a mock statewide contest in Arizona which pits brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents against each other in a contest to see who makes the best frybread.
A total of 22 frybread makers, representing all 22 tribes in Arizona, convene together under one roof to see who the state’s best bannock maker is, The film takes a larger-than-life turn in the final round as the four finalists battle for pride, prize money and a trip to the National Worldwide Frybread Association Championship in New York City.
Hamilton has made several successful films about First Nation culture outside of the Hollywood system. His production company, Holt Hamilton Productions, is an Arizona-based independent film and documentary production company.
“We aim to share the highest quality entertainment value possible to the under-served indigenous communities of the world,” said Hamilton in a news release. “We honour the true traditions and cultures associated with the world communities and pledge to do all in our power to diminish the negative stereotypes that plague the world with misunderstanding and confusion.
“We move forward with projects that are wholesome and beneficial to our world community. We stand fast by our motto, “For a better world.”
All Osoyoos and area residents can participate in National Aboriginal Day activities at the cultural centre by paying regular entrance prices, said Bryson.
For more information, contact the centre at 250-495-7901.
BY KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
