Smoke Signals Name_____________________________
Film Guide
This photograph is from the book Indi’n Humor (1993) by Kenneth Lincoln. Taken by Lee Marmon from the Laguna Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, it is called “White Man’s Moccasins.”
What thoughts and feelings does it evoke for you? Think about the setting, the mood, and the point of view. Consider the following questions: How do you think this man feels about his clothing and footwear (sneakers)? Why do you suppose he is not wearing traditional moccasins?
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Who’s Who in the Film
Victor Joseph (Adam Beach)—young man abandoned by his father
Thomas Builds-a-Fire (Evan Adams)—Victor’s storyteller companion
Arnold Joseph (Gary Farmer)—Victor’s father who leaves for Phoenix
Arlene Joseph (Tantoo Cardinal)—Victor’s mother
Grandma Builds-the-Fire (Monique Mojica)—relative who raises Thomas
Randy Peone (John Trudell)—K-Rez announcer
Suzy Song (Irene Bedard)—woman who befriends Arnold Joseph in Phoenix
Director—Chris Eyre
Screenwriter—Sherman Alexie
About the film:
Smoke Signals (1998) was the first feature film written, directed, and co-produced by Native Americans to receive a major distribution deal; in addition, all the actors who portrayed Indians are also Native Americans.
This film explores the relationship between Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, two young Indian men living on the Coeur d’Alene reservation in Idaho. The stoic, athletic Victor wants little to do with the misfit storyteller Thomas; however, when Victor learns that his estranged father Arnold has died in Arizona, Victor accepts Thomas’ offer to buy their bus tickets to Arizona so they can get Arnold’s truck.
Essential Questions:
What does it mean to be a minority in America?
What is the true meaning of friendship?
Response Questions:
Respond to the following questions as we view the film. YOU are responsible for scheduling a time to view segments that you are absent for. LOST STUDY GUIDES WILL RESULT IN A 20 POINT DEDUCTION FROM FINAL GRADE.
ONE. The Rez. The fire on the 4th of July.
1. Keep a running list of common Native American stereotypes you observe in the film.
2. The DJ on the reservation’s radio station states: “It’s a good day to be indigenous!” What does this statement mean, and why do you think it’s in the film? (Indigenous: originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native)
3. What could be the significance of the scene of Thomas flying?
TWO. Victor and Thomas. Two boys born of fire.
4. After Arnold saves Thomas from the fire, Grandma Builds-the-Fire says to him, “You saved Thomas. You did a good thing,” and Arnold replies, “I didn’t mean to.” Why does Arnold respond in this way?
5. Describe Victor’s relationship with his mother and grandmother.
6. When Thomas says, “You know, there are some children who aren’t really children at all. They’re just pillars of flame that burn everything they touch. And there are some children who are just pillars of ash, that fall apart if you touch ’em. Me and Victor—we were children born of flame and ash.” What does Thomas mean by this?
THREE. Victor and Thomas on the road.
7. Think about the troubles that Victor and Thomas have traveling across the country, why is this?
FOUR. Victor and his Father—Victor and Thomas as Indian warriors.
8. Describe Victor’s relationship with his father. Can you explain how a young boy, 10 or 12 years old, would not want his father to leave home even if the father was abusive?
9. On the bus, why does Victor tell Thomas that he needs to “be more like a real Indian”? How does Thomas respond?
10. What does being an Indian mean to Victor and Thomas? (Recall especially their conversation on the bus when Victor ridicules Thomas for watching Dances with Wolves so many times). Where do you think that Victor has gotten his ideas about how an Indian should act?
11. In this film, all of the Caucasian men are shown in a negative light. Is this portrayal accurate? What message does this send? What do you think that non-Indians represent to a Native American on the reservation?
FIVE. End of the journey; new insights.
12. What could be the symbolic meaning of the fry bread?
SIX. Victor faces his father’s truths/lies.
13. Describe the relationship between Victor and Suzy.
14. Why does Suzy tells Victor about a powwow in New Mexico that hundreds of Indian nations attended?
15. Why does Suzy want Victor to visit the trailer?
16. What really happened on the 4th of July?
17. What is important about the picture Victor finds in his father’s wallet?
18. Why does Victor cut his hair off with a knife?
SEVEN. Victor as warrior is saved by his father.
19. Victor and Thomas drive off. Why does the director use the same bird’s eye point of view of the
yellow truck that we saw in the opening scenes?
20. Describe the argument between Victor and Thomas.
21. Discuss the interactions Victor and Thomas have with members of the dominant society (the White couple in the car accident, and the police officer). What stereotypes are operating?
EIGHT. Victor forgives his father. Thomas foresees the future.
22. The director takes us back to the Rez and we see Victor visiting a cemetery—there is the backwards car, and there is the yellow pickup back on the Rez. What is the significance of this scene?
23. Why does Victor share some of his father’s ashes with Thomas?
24. How has Victor changed since the start of the film?