source: Dance Me Outside

I like this movie because I saw it with my dad before he passed away.I remember these times as very good and hopeful for Native People, when Dreamkeepers was promising to show more Native actors... When Oka promised justice. At the time I was happy to see this, but after awhile, I watched it again... I thought, "hmmmm? I don't know... kinda bad acting? bad writing? rough looking clothes... everyone looked different..." not typical of Native areas... and no one dressed that bad.... everyone looked from different nations, usually they would look similar, you could tell if they were Cree or Blackfoot, or from BC. But not in this movie...and who wrote this? are they even Native? Obviously not, or at least I don't think so!~ so for me, it was not a good representation of Native people... It's not a typical Native Family... So, I don't know, I always thought art should portray truth... can I even say? I want to encourage Native actors... I appreciate that they are acting... in an all non native world.... watch TV, movies, anything you rarely see native people anywhere and it always bugs me... but this, I thought for sure, we should have written a story ourselves and acted it out... and put that effort and resources into our own work as writers... etc. it wasn't art to me... it was fulfilling someone else's agendas, not Native people's... a bunch of jobs, people playing the role and I felt there should have been some loyalty to the Native People... some art... It looked like someone outside looking in, but Native People acting it out for them... A long time ago, we'd have feasts and put on performances for neighboring villages, it was an honor and our best performance...it wouldn't insult them... it would make sense and have meaning... our people are beautiful, strong, intelligent and this was an embarrassing portrayal... but I am loyal to them, the actors. I'd watch it and show my kids now. But look years later... it looks funny, rough... but I do love Adam Beach and Micheal Greyeyes! and coyote...handsome... why can't they dress nice... look cool...have nice hair (adam beach)? oh well... I like the movie, but I think it could have been done better..

Dance Me Outside (1995) Review: I saw this movie one day out on a whim. I never heard of this before, Here's my take: Dance Me Outside is something else. This is a good movie. We have ourselves a fine young cast, a nice location to film, and a good story. The story is rather grim and also this movie does deal with issues without getting mighty preachy. This movie has humor, depth, and some very excellent dialog. This movie is really compelling. I had to watch this from start to finish. It captured my interest. After this was over, I wanted to see this again. This is a very good movie. The Last Word: Underrated. Yes. This movie deserved a lot more attention. The characters are likable and overall is very interesting. Try to find this gem, it's worth the trouble.

I had to bid over and over at an online auction to get my copy. I loved everything about the movie. The casting was superb and the humor could be seen even though the plot line was of a dark nature. I am not Native, and can only guess that this is a close approximation of life on a Reservation to some degree. This film has caused me to wonder many evenings what was factual and what was fictional. Obviously, there are still some stereotypes regarding both people, Whites and Natives. What I liked was that the movie showed some real issues without getting too preachy. It pointed out what some of the basic problems facing Natives are and gave the audience a chance to learn through humor, and yes, horror. Since watching this Movie for the first time, I tend to watch for similar movies, such as Smoke Signals and Cowboys and Indians. I have not been disappointed yet.

Dance Me Outside was a disappointing film. It is often praised for its show of reservation life, for being composed of a Native American cast, and so forth. There are better films to watch if you want to see a slice of reservation life, such as Pow Wow Highway, Smoke Signals, or even Thunderheart. Dance Me Outside's actors are hit and miss in their ability, the direction is mundane, the cinematography is common. Worst of all is the story, which in its attempt to fight against Native American stereotype creates its own racial stereotyping by having white men who are either morons or murderers. While such an attempt to stereotype whites could have been used as an attempt at irony and satire, rather it comes across as lazy filmmaking, as most racial stereotypes do. In the end the film attempts to create a sense of unity among the Native American cast who are, throughout the film, being torn in different directions, whether through their life choices or from actions outside of their control. The climax of the film sees our supposed heroes choosing to commit an action that is utterly detestable (not mention a previous scheme to deceive an unwitting and innocent individual, conspired nearly by the whole cast) and the director expects the audience to praise it. In its attempt to create a tension of moral dilemma Dance Me Outside fails where films such as the Jordanian movie Captain Abu Raed succeed. We understand why the temptation exists but we don't want our heroes to become the villains, Dance Me Outside seems to be unable recognize that.

Although I gave this film a 5 out of 10, I do think that rez life in Ontario was pretty well portrayed. There were hardly any misconceptions about this one. It was a down-to-earth, realistic and modern day look at the Ojibway people of that particular rez. I believe this kind of film was not meant for it "impress" viewers with its storyline. There didn't need to be anything flashy or fancy about portraying Natives and it was most certainly like those other stereotypical Hollywood made flicks that frequently misinterpret Native people. But........ anyways........... this is the reason why I gave this film a 5 out of 10.

I purchased the movie a week ago and finally saw it last night. Unfortunately it is not something that blockbuster carries on a large scale. It was excellent, unlike another viewers comment I did not find it boring at all. The movie is very unique and different which is refreshing from the big Hollywood cookie cutter movies. Adam Beach, Ryan Black, and Michael Greyeyes did an awesome job. As somber as the story line is, there were many funny parts which really made the movie as well. Once you get into the movie you'll be hooked to see what happens to everyone and what happens next. I really recommend it and remember there is not a perfect movie that everyone will like 10 out of 10. I though myself give it a 10 out of 10. Check it out!

The characters made this movie, but the dialogue and delivery by the actors were not very smooth, but when taken in context that some of the "natives" talk like this, can be overlooked. The script was choppy and bounced around subplots, one that has me concerned. The side story of the lead character's sister's Anglo husband being taken out for the night of fun and her having sex with another "native" bothers me. This was just a work of fiction, but a reflection of the resentment that American Indians hold toward outsiders either that move into their space or in general. Otherwise this is a very interesting movie, one that fills the time better than watching sports or gameshows.

In 1996 Canadian Governor-General Romeo LeBlanc declared June 21 be National Aboriginal Day. It is a pivotal time to honour and cherish the diversity and unique culture and the amazing strides Native, Inuit and Metis people have accomplished throughout Canadian history. Even through the impossible hurdles that the Native people had to overcome in order to survive in Canada which stands true as we speak, one thing's for sure, they were here first and forever they will stay. The significance of this holiday as a contributor to the progressive stages of redress and reconciliation which means bringing unity between Native and non-Native people and sharing our culture, language and customs to generate a feeling of identification and that our traditional ways are still practiced to this day. In terms of movies there are several that reflect on Native people, but one that really tugs at my heartstrings is the 1994 movie directed by Bruce McDonald "Dance Me Outside". The focal central plot of "Dance Me Outside" is around two late adolescent boys named Silas Crow (Ryan Black) and his buddy Frank Fencepost (Adam Beach) who realize that they're procrastinating ways must come to a stop if they which to fulfill their dreams to get into mechanic school. One weekend, Silas' sister Illianna (Lisa LaCroix) returns home from Toronto with her new non-Native lawyer husband Robert McVey (Kevin Hicks). At the local dance hall The Blue Quill, she is approached by her ex-boyfriend reformed ex-convict Gooch (Michael Greyeyes) who's been expecting her, but she brushes him off. Not everything's all right on the Kidabanesee Reserve as local non-Native miscreant Clarence Gaskill (Hugh Dillon) leaves the dance with Little Margaret Wolfchild (Tamara Podemski). By the next morning, Margaret's dead body was found. The script involving the conflict of marrying-out and the murder was handled with absolute care by McDonald, Don McKellar and John Frizzell based on a series of short stories by the late W.P. Kinsella. With the marriage problem, Illianna can't produce a child because Robert's sperm count is very meagre much to the chagrin of Ma Crow (Rose Marie Trudeau). Due to a pathetic loophole in the criminal system in Canada, Gaskill was given a light prison system. This stirs oil into the fire as political rights activist Hobart Thunder (Vincent Andre Manitowabi) speaks up about the social injustices implemented by the Canadian penal system. This puts a wedge between Silas as he's caught at midway point as he's faced with the murder of a Native woman and his sister married to a non-Native man. In an act of comedy, we see Silas persuade Gooch to get his sister pregnant, the extreme drama stems from Silas seeking revenge against a fiend who got away too easy. After several failures, director Bruce McDonald has made a movie that was worth watching that's both insightful and important. It helps that he was accompanied by strict executive-producer Norman Jewison and following Kinsella's story with care, this coming-of-age story is saturated with scintillating substance. This is truly one of Bruce McDonald's best film in his career.

You'll like this movie, if you're a metalfan ;-) All the indian Kids are Metalfreaks and just hang around, drink beer, have some fun.Long hair and cool T-Shirts. *lol* I really like this film because the actors are great, lovely. The Story is not bad , too. Maybe for younger viewers.