Arapaho Truths, the St. Stephens Indian School film, produced in collaboration with Boston-based Moonstar Productions, was shown at the Popcorn Roulette Film Festival in Haverhill, Massachusetts on September 18th.
The festival was held live after a year when most film festivals were canceled or virtual because of the pandemic. The Popcorn Roulette Festival took place in the HC Media’s Studio in Haverhill.
Arapaho Truths opened the festival and was shown on two large movie screens simultaneously. The festival drew a good-sized, appreciative audience, and John-Michael Gariepy, the festival organizer, did a super job of promoting and hosting the festival, according to the film’s director George Giglio.
Arapaho Truths has been honored with The Best Documentary Award at the Popcorn Roulette Festival, making this the film’s eighth festival award.
Arapaho Truths showcases four traditional Arapaho stories. An elder tribal member, William C’Hair, Wayne C’Hair, or Eugene Ridgely, Jr., told each story. St. Stephens students uniquely illustrated the stories using clay animation, drawings, paintings, shadow puppets, and performance.
Between the stories are short anecdotes and insights about native storytelling, told by various tribal elders, mentors, school officials, and students; including Merle Haas, Frank No Runner, James Stewart, Mike Redman, Michael Eugene Ridge Bear, Ryan Tyler, Ruth Goggles, Janice Goggles, and Rupert “Ducky” Goggles, among others.
In addition, the film features the Students of St. Stephens, including Hista Soldier Wolf, Darryl Dodge, Danielle Bass, Timberly Blackburn, and Precious Gould.
Sergio Maldonado narrates the film, which contains traditional music by Michael Eugene Ridge Bear and Mike Redman and a score by Tim Janus.
The Executive Producer is Dara Weller, to whom the film is dedicated; George Giglio directs it; Dr. William Diehl is the Educational Consultant; Tyrel Teran is the Technical Consultant, the Director of Photography is Joe Collins, and the Producer is Maureen Matson.
For more information about the film, click here.