Synopsis
Some things are worth the wait.
Directed by Sterlin Harjo
Some things are worth the wait.
The first ever directorial effort from Sterlin Harjo, now most famous for helming several episodes of Reservation Dogs. A really fantastic short, simple and direct while still being really emotional. Has a way of totally sucking you into its world.
Excellent short that tackles real problems faced by indigenous peoples with elegant subtlety and a great mix of heart and humor. How it especially deals with the loss of culture that comes with changing generations is especially bittersweet. It sucks that I had to watch this on YouTube because the original rolls of film have been lost. I guess I should check out Reservation Dogs now.
family enjoyed this short film the most, love intergenerational moments. saw this through sundance indigenous film tour, so glad i went had really interesting conversations with my family about experimental film, storytelling, native perspectives and their own personal stories.
Top short from Sundance's 2024 indigenous film shorts program. A day spent in the waiting room of an Indian Health Service with an elder, a dad, and some 20 year old snot-nose. Poignant and humorous. aMuch humor revolving around old Irene speaking in the old language to the guy who knows it just enough to mistranslate most of what he hears. Made by Sterlin Harjo who did Reservation Dogs (but not Joy Harjo, who appeared in Reservation Dogs).
feels very much like a student film but mostly not in a diminishing way. heartfelt dialogue and great characters (i really love the title). such an interesting look at indigenous life before the rise of casinos, too. i am very excited to explore more of harjo’s art.
I love this short so much.
Really the essence of Reservation Dogs in 13ish minutes. There’s just so much here that Harjo expands on and explores further in that show.
There’s even a little bit of Bear in the character that has the Army shirt on in this. The IHS clinic, the gap between the elder generation and the young generation, the fracturing of community, the loss of loved ones, social/political commentary on Indigenous identity, it’s all there. I desperately need to watch Harjo’s films.