BY KAREN BOSSICK
“Neither Wolf Nor Dog,” which opened this weekend during Magic Lantern Cinema's Fall Film Festival, defies Hollywood logic.
It was shot in 18 days by a tiny crew overseen by a Scottish director. It was audience-financed and self-distributed. And it sports a 95-year-old star.
Yet, it has outperformed Hollywood blockbusters in numerous multiplexes and had a higher audience score on Rotten Tomatoes than any big Hollywood movie currently out.
The film has had a longer theatrical run than any other U.S. film released during the past decade.
Based on Keith Nerburn’s best-selling Native American novel, “Neither Wolf Nor Dog,” it takes audiences on a deeply moving trip through contemporary and historical Lakota life and culture. Filled with wry humor, it challenges viewers to see the world differently.
Its star Bald Eagle died at the age of 97 before the film was released, but for a time his obituary was the most-read feature in the world on BBC. And NPR’s All Things Considered team debated whether he was the world’s most interesting man.
Not only were his relatives present at the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, but he was left for dead on D-Day. And, when the filming ended, he said of his chance to tell his and his ancestors’ story: “I’ve been holding that in for 95 years.”
Being held over this week is “Ski Bum: The Warren Miller Story.” It should be perfect fodder for powderhounds, should we wake up Sunday morning to an inch of snow on the ground.
The documentary recounts the life of Miller, who got the idea for his groundbreaking work in filming winter sports while living off rabbit stew and Ketchup packets—and skiing—in Sun Valley.
In addition to archival footage, it features in-depth interviews with members of Miller’s family and the legendary ski bum himself recorded shortly before his death at 93 last year.