The Grand Illusion

Free screening in honor of Native American Heritage Month! In memoriam of Oneida actor Graham Greene in his breakout role with a pre-recorded introduction by Cayuga actor Gary Farmer.

Buddy Red Bow (A Martinez) is struggling, in the face of greedy developers, to keep his nation on a Montana Cheyenne Reservation financially solvent and independent. Philbert (Gary Farmer), his easygoing friend, pursues Native wisdom and lore wherever he can find it—even on “Bonanza.” As the two set off on a journey to bail out Buddy’s imprisoned sister, Philbert’s gentle faith challenges Buddy’s hard-edged view of the world, and together they face the realities and dreams of being Cheyenne in the modern-day U.S. Native American spirituality abounds in this bittersweet portrait of two Cheyenne men on a journey through the American West and their own identities.

Screenings are co-presented with Labateyah Youth Home for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation and we ask that you support them with a donation this month. You can donate directly to them at their website or in-person at these screenings.

Free ticket reservations are highly recommended. They will help us manage demand and guarantee you a seat, but it is not required.

“One of the reasons we go to movies is to meet people we have not met before. It will be a long time before I forget Farmer, who disappears into the Philbert role so completely we almost think he is this simple, openhearted man – until we learn he’s an actor and teacher from near Toronto. It’s one of the most wholly convincing performances I’ve seen.” Roger Ebert