Synopsis
Red Fever is a witty and entertaining feature documentary about the profound -- yet hidden -- Indigenous influence on Western culture and identity.
The film follows Cree co-director Neil Diamond as he asks, “Why do they love us so much?” and sets out on a journey to find out why the world is so fascinated with the stereotypical imagery of Native people that is all over pop culture.
Why have Indigenous cultures been revered, romanticized, and appropriated for so long, and to this day? Red Fever uncovers the surprising truths behind the imagery -- so buried in history that even most Native people don't know about them.
“We are always tough and fierce warriors, or ancient, spiritual, and magical peoples. What always amazes me is how these same images persist year after year until today, when we have become the blue people in space. Why are so many people attached to theses fantasies when most of them have never even met a Native person.”
Neil Diamond, Red Fever Co-Director, Cree
“Our traditional designs were stripped away from us, outlawed, trashed, burned. There’s so much trauma behind that. That’s why cultural appropriation is so detrimental. Because it is giving us the message that we stole this from you, you can’t have it anymore, but were going to take it and profit off of it.”
Korina Emmerich, Fashion Designer, Puyallup
“Carlisle (Indian School) really is the school that transfers football from being a game of pure, brute power into a game of intellectual power. Whatever intellect is inserted into American football today – strategy – really has its origin at the Carlisle school. They take this game and they bend it to their own purposes. And they Indianize American football.”
Sally Jenkins, Sports Columnist, Washington Post, Non-Indigenous
Credits
- Executive Producers Catherine Bainbridge Linda Ludwick Ernest Webb
- Producer Lisa M. Roth
- Writers Neil Diamond Catherine Bainbridge
- Directors Neil Diamond Catherine Bainbridge
- Story Producer Joanne Robertson
- Editor & Co-Producer Rebecca Lessard
- Associate Producer Brittany LeBorgne
- Original Music Jesse Zubot Pura Fé
- Motion Designer Kara Blake
- Illustrators Meky Ottawa Destiny Chescappio
- Post-Production Supervisor Gary Evans
- Sound Editing & Mix Daniel Toussaint
- Online Colourist Vicky-Lynn Roy
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