Syracuse University Assistant Director of Native Studies and former All-American lacrosse player Neal Powless, who co-produced the movie 'Crooked Arrows', offers a behind-the-scenes look at the film and his role in gaining the support of the Onondaga Nation for the project.
The film, Crooked Arrows, is about a coach who reluctantly leads a troubled Native American high school team on an uphill journey to the state lacrosse championship game against its prep school rivals, who are better trained and better equipped. The movie is the first mainstream film that focuses on the sport of lacrosse.
The world premiere of the film will be Wednesday in Syracuse; the movie hits select theaters May 18 and opens nationally June 1.
The $6 million film has financial backing from the Onondaga Nation, support from Syracuse University and features hundreds of people from Central New York.
But Crooked Arrows’ road to the Onondaga Nation and to becoming a real movie was a long and bumpy one.
Writer Todd Baird and producers Mitchell Peck and Adam Leff dreamed up the idea for the movie more than a decade ago, but Native American leaders from the Onondaga Nation and other nations didn’t like the script. They felt the script was riddled with cultural inaccuracies and stereotypes.
Lacrosse is a tradition of the Haudenosaunee nations, which include the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora nations. Lacrosse is known as the Creator’s game.
“Lacrosse is something that the Creator gave to us for our enjoyment and, in turn, we give thanks for our young men having that ability and strength,” said Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sid Hill. “It keeps the young men in a good mind and good spirit.”
The $6 million film has financial backing from the Onondaga Nation, support from Syracuse University and features hundreds of people from Central New York.
But Crooked Arrows’ road to the Onondaga Nation and to becoming a real movie was a long and bumpy one.
Writer Todd Baird and producers Mitchell Peck and Adam Leff dreamed up the idea for the movie more than a decade ago, but Native American leaders from the Onondaga Nation and other nations didn’t like the script. They felt the script was riddled with cultural inaccuracies and stereotypes.
Lacrosse is a tradition of the Haudenosaunee nations, which include the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora nations. Lacrosse is known as the Creator’s game.
“Lacrosse is something that the Creator gave to us for our enjoyment and, in turn, we give thanks for our young men having that ability and strength,” said Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sid Hill. “It keeps the young men in a good mind and good spirit.”
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