Scheduled on PBS-TV's "Independent Lens," the feature documentary (by husband-and-wife filmmakers Jared and Carly Jakins) is a transfixing cinema-verite chronicle of students, faculty, and families involved in Navajo Mountain High School. It arrives in the marketplace not long after the 2K restoration and video re-release of Norman Foster's 1952 docu-drama Navajo, which makes an interesting companion.
Navajo Mountain High was established on remote Navajo Nation land (members of the tribe also call themselves the "Dine" people) to provide a minuscule student body of 30 with (hopefully) a modern education—as well as a reconnection to their ancient heritage and reparation for decades of devastating forced assimilation, alcoholism and broken families.
Simultaneous with robotics, the Navajo language is taught here, as well as traditional living (sensitive viewers should be forewarned of the slaughter of a live sheep in the classroom, filmed at a distance). Still, an elder teacher/coach declares that it is a doomed mission, that the Navajo have reached the "end of the trail," with technology luring too many young people away from the old ways.
Cameras focus on three students. Vivacious, funny, self-effacing Ilii identifies herself as half-Navajo, half-Cambodian, and incipient lesbian (her grandmother Avis, a survivor of cruel "de-Indianizing" educational practices of yesteryear, has no problem adoring her; neither will viewers). Ilii wants to work in suicide prevention, but meanwhile aspires to art, perhaps graphic novels.
Showing a similar creative streak is Noah, who enjoys living "on the rez" has internet hookups; he can play the networked, multi-user game Fortnite with players from all over the world, regardless of race or circumstances. His parents divorced, but a father re-enters the picture to motivate him. Granite, mourning a deceased brother, wants to attend college despite failing grades. His goal for a basketball scholarship are slim given how few kids show up for regular practice, curtailing Navajo Mountain High's season.
All around them are the spectacular mountain ranges and escarpments of Utah, yet history has made this beautiful place a metaphorical prison for the younger members of the tribe, haunted by trauma and hopelessness. Still, a joyous graduation finale concludes the feature on an uptempo note.
Readers of Sherman Alexie and fans of modern Native-themed features such as Smoke Signals are an ideal audience, and there is a built-in appeal for teen/YA viewers, given such relatable subjects. Highly recommended, especially for library shelves dedicated to cultural studies as well as education and the American West.
Discover more titles for your film collection in our list of education movies.