The Native Eyes Film Showcase is returning to The Loft Cinema this year for an evening of film, music and a whole lot of Gary Farmer.
"I guess you could say Gary Farmer is our theme this year," said Lisa Falk, director of education at the Arizona State Museum and founder of the festival.
Farmer, a First Nations actor and musician who was born and raised in Ohsweken, Ontario, will be appearing at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Farmer is an actor in both of the films - "California Indian" and "Dead Man" - being presented at this year's showcase, and he will be performing with his band, The Troublemakers, in between the screenings.
But Farmer isn't the only artist making an appearance at The Loft. Tim Ramos, the writer, director and star of "California Indian," will also be present for the event.
His 2008 film is about a Pomo Indian and successful radio host (Ramos), who returns to the reservation to help his brother and tribal leaders deal with a seedy casino investor.
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Unique in its portrayal of life in Indian country, the film deals with role reversals and identity issues, Falk said.
"If there's a subtheme of this year's festival, it's breaking sterotypes," she said.
That theme carries through in "Dead Man," a 1995 western by Jim Jarmusch that tells the story of William Blake (Johnny Depp), an accountant who travels to the American frontier for a job and winds up shot and dying. He is discovered by Nobody (Farmer), an American Indian who believes that Blake is the reincarnation of the poet of the same name.
Although Blake isn't familiar with the poet, Nobody resolves to escort him to the Pacific Ocean so he can be returned to his proper place in the spirit world.
"You have an Indian who loves and admires the work of this English poet, and you have a white man who is ignorant of all of it," Falk said. "And on top of that, it's just a beautiful film to watch."
Shot in black-and-white, the film is scored by Neil Young, who improvised most of the music on electric guitar, and features cameos from Gabriel Byrne, Iggy Pop, Billy Bob Thornton and Crispin Glover.
In between the screenings, festival attendees will be treated to a live performance by Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers, a Santa Fe-based blues band that has been touring and recording since 2004.
"That's another example of the secondary theme," Falk said. "Blues is traditionally considered to be a black American form of music, but here we have American Indians who have embraced it."
This year's edition of the Native Eyes Film Showcase is presented by the Arizona State Museum in partnership with The Loft Cinema, Tohono O'odham Nation Culture Center & Museum, and Indigenous Strategies.
Proceeds from this year's event will go toward expanded programming for future Native Eyes festivals and similar events.
"You get to get up and dance, but you also get to learn about how things really are in Indian country," Falk said. "And hopefully, people will just have a good time, too."
If you go
• What: Native Eyes Film Showcase, featuring the films "California Indian" and "Dead Man," as well as a concert by Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers
• When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.
• Admission: $20 for all three events; $15 for concert; $10 for "California Indian" screening; $8 for "Dead Man"screening.
• More info: loftcinema.com or goo.gl/ih676
