A Note on Windtalkers

["Hunter Gray" <hunterbadbear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've already [June 15] posted my own quite favorable reactions to
Windtalkers.

Our copy [June 13th edition] of the Navajo Times [conventional print sub]
arrived today.  It carries, naturally, a great deal about the film: notes on
the Great War against fascism and Nazism, much on the Code Talkers and Code,
history and development of the film, various actors -- and very much on two
non-professional actors:  Roger Willie, Continental Divide, who portrays
Pvt. Charles Whitehorse; and five year old Brandon Roberts of Tohatchi who
depicts George Washington Yahzee.

A fascinating piece involves Kenji Kawano, a native of Japan, who has
emerged as the "official" photographer of the Code Talkers.  His exhibition
has just opened at the Navajo Nation Museum at Window Rock, capital of
Navajo Nation.  In 1990, his book  Warriors: The Navajo Code Talkers was
published.  Just out is his The Fifth World: The Navajo Code Talkers.

The issue carries Dine' reports from advance showings.  With an occasional
minor qualification, they are all quite positive -- and that's what we've
certainly been hearing directly from Navajo and other Native settings.

This from a premier showing on the West Coast:

================
On Saturday, June 8, (my husband) and I were invited to the West Coast
premiere of "Windtalkers," to represent my late father, Howard Billiman Jr.,
(Code Talker and instructor) of Sawmill and Buell Park, Ariz.

We were special guests of the event hosts, Dr. Randall and Brooke Graham,
brother of the movie's co-producer, Tracia Graham. She along with her
husband, John Rice, the film's screenwriter, and co-producer Allison
Rosenzweig, were present for the showing.

The event was attended by over 1,000 people including the families of three
other late Code Talkers, who represented their fathers, and one living Code
Talker.

It was an emotional evening. The movie overall portrayed the Navajo people,
culture, and Code Talkers with dignity and respect, while telling the story
of men of different cultures and races facing their fears and prejudices
before coming to an understanding of the common purpose they were fighting
for.

The film was generally given good ratings by those of us who represented our
fathers, relatives and the Navajo people. We heard of other Code Talkers who
gave the film high marks for its realism when they were interviewed on CNN's
Larry King show on Saturday night.

As in any movie there are always some things that are done for dramatic
effect which are not quite accurate, but, on the whole, the film was done
very well.

The parts depicting the battle scenes were very violent but that's the way
my dad talked about his experience at Saipan and Tarawa. I could feel his
spirit with us, and I know he approved of the movie. I only wish he were
still alive to have been there in person.

Loretta Bell (Billiman)
Westminster, Calif.

====================

Hunter Gray  [ Hunterbear ]
www.hunterbear.org  ( strawberry socialism )
Protected by Na´shdo´i´ba´i´





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