Choctaw, Michigan (AP) — While it’s just a brief moment in a larger film, for the Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians, their scene in “Sinner” holds significant importance.
This horror movie hit features Michael B. Jordan as a gangster turned vampire slayer, incorporating Choctaw actors and cultural experts to present meaningful snapshots of the tribe. For many, this marks the first occasion they’ve witnessed an authentic representation of Choctaw life on the big screen.
The scene depicts a group of Choctaws arriving on horseback and in old trucks at a farmhouse, warning a couple inside of impending danger. When the couple declines their assistance, a Choctaw man utters a traditional phrase for good luck before departing.
“I’ve never seen another film where our language is spoken accurately,” remarked Cynthia Massey, a cultural consultant for “Sinner.”
Massey, along with Cheryl Nicky and department director Jay Wesley, operates the tribal Chatta Imi Cultural Center. The trio was enlisted as cultural consultants to guarantee an authentic portrayal of the tribe within the film. They meticulously examined historical archives to understand how ancestors dressed, spoke, and behaved in the 1930s when “sinners” were prevalent.
“The filmmakers’ desire for genuine expression was humbling,” Wesley, who also has a role in the film, stated.
Wesley facilitated connections between the filmmakers and Choctaw actors, as well as artifacts like the beaded sashes worn by Choctaw characters. These sashes are currently on display in the “Sinner” exhibit at the Cultural Center.
The film also includes a brief performance of the Choctaw War chant by Jaden Wesley, daughter of Jay Wesley and a student at the University of California in Los Angeles. During the recording, Jaden shared that the filmmakers aimed for the music to resonate with the Choctaw community.
“We were engaging with our people, even in those brief moments,” Jaden Wesley expressed.
As with the Choctaw people, one of the goals of Proximity Media, the production company behind “Sinner,” is to shine a light on underrepresented cultures and narratives. Founded by Ryan Coogler, director of “Sinner,” his wife, producer Jinji Coogler, and producer Sev Ohanian, the company seeks authenticity.
“If you’re trying to portray the Mississippi Choctaw, it’s vital to work with the right voices,” Ohanian emphasized. “We aim to present Ryan’s stories truthfully on screen.”
Ohanian and his co-founders did not limit themselves to Choctaw consultants; they engaged a team of experts to navigate the cultural intersections present in the Mississippi Delta, where the film is set. The resulting film has garnered commendations, including an open letter from community organizers inviting Coogler and his team to visit the Delta. Recently, Ohanian and others began hosting “Sinner” screenings in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the setting for the film’s events.
“This encourages other filmmakers to seek out authentic storytelling opportunities, hoping to showcase the tapestry of this rich culture in America,” Ohanian pointed out, highlighting the film industry’s historical misrepresentation of non-white communities.
For Wesley and the other consultants, the hope is that the film piques audience interest in Choctaw culture and encourages visits to the Chahta Immi Cultural Center.
“Connecting with this culture is vital; it was here long before the public arrived,” Massey noted. “Approximately three-quarters of Mississippi is Choctaw land, yet today only 350,000 acres remain.”
They believe the Choctaw’s involvement in the film fosters tribal pride. Nicky hopes it sparks a cultural renaissance, especially as fewer Choctaws are fluent in their native language.
“Many children today can’t even speak our language; they only communicate in English,” Nicky lamented. “I hope they understand that it’s perfectly acceptable to use our language.”
Source: apnews.com