smoke signals
smoke signalsSmoke Signals
1998 - USA
Director - Chris Eyre
About the film…
Winner of the Audience Award and the Filmmaker’s Trophy at the 1998
Sundance Film Festival, and the official selection for opening night of the
1998 New Director/New Films, SMOKE SIGNALS is one of the most unique
films of the year. Filled with the rich aesthetics and beautiful mood of
American Indian culture, Sherman Alexie’s story of friendship, love and loss (based on his award-winning
short story, “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven”) comes alive.
Set in Arizona, SMOKE SIGNALS is the story of two Indian boys on a journey. Victor (ADAM BEACH) is
the stoic, handsome son of an alcoholic father who has abandoned his family. Thomas (EVAN ADAMS) is
a gregarious, goofy young man who lost both his parents in a fire at a very young age. through storytelling,
Thomas makes every effort to connect with the people around him; Victor, in contrast, uses his quiet
countenance to gain strength and confidence.
When Victor’s estranged father dies, the two men embark on an adventure to Phoenix to collect the ashes.
Along the way, SMOKE SIGNALS illustrates the ties that bind these two very different young men and
embraces the lessons they learn from one another.
About the soundtrack…
TVT Soundtrax, one of the industry’s most eclectic and progressive soundtrack companies, is pleased to
announce the release of Smoke Signals, the original motion picture soundtrack to the upcoming Miramax
film opening in selected cities June 26. The feature captured both the Audience Choice Awards and
Filmmakers Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. The soundtrack features traditional Native
American chants and folk music coupled with an original score by Seattle based composer BC Smith.
Smoke Signals is scheduled for release June 23 on TVT Soundtrax.
Leading the Smoke Signals soundtrack is reigning Boston folk sensation Dar Williams, who contributed
the song Road Buddy. The track will be the first single from the album serviced to radio. Also featured on
the album is Ulali, the critically acclaimed Native American women’s trio. Ulali, nominated for a Juno
Award, recently inked a deal with Columbia Jazz and have frequently performed with Robbie Robertson,
the Indigo Girls, Sting and Jackson Browne. Also featured on the soundtrack are Eaglebear Singers and
singer-songwriter Jim Boyd, a Colville Tribe Native American. Each song on the soundtrack was
specifically chosen by the film’s writer and
Smoke Signals is a deeply moving portrait of a young, Native American man’s journey to retrieve his
estranged father’s body for burial. The film, told from an introspective point of view, examines the complex
father and son relationship. The film, written by acclaimed Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian novelist Sherman
Alexie (Indian Killer) marks the directorial feature film debut by 28 year-old, Native American Chris Eyre.
Smoke Signals is the first dramatic film written, directed and starring Native Americans.