The Power of the 'Reservation Dogs'
'Reservation Dogs' is stacked with an array of Native American performers and crew telling their own story.

High school is coming to an end for the shy Gustav and his best friend, Buller. The two outsiders only think about sex and talk about nothing else. Gustav is hopelessly in love with popular Barbara, who is barely aware of his existence. But the boys' lives change completely when an alien in the form of a handsome guy named Allan suddenly drops from the sky. Without knowing about Allan's plan to take over the earth by procreating with as many people as possible, Gustav and Buller form a special friendship with him. Suddenly, Barbara also catches sight of the clumsy Gustav. In time, it dawns on both Gustav, Buller and Allan that sex is about more than procreation, and that truth changes their world forever.
'Reservation Dogs' is stacked with an array of Native American performers and crew telling their own story.
While not everyone may relate to the circumstances Danielle finds herself in in 'Shiva Baby', some are sure to understand her struggles as she is scrutinized for being a woman, a college student, an LGBT person, and a sugar baby.
We sat down with Writer/Director Albert Acosta to discuss his debut short film, (ha-ha), Acosta's foray into narrative cinema, and how his personal experiences have shaped his filmmaking philosophy.
Director Dana Ziyasheva made her directorial debut, 'Defenders of Life' which focuses on the Ngäbe community, and the hardships Ngäbe girls faced in Costa Rica.
The social issues The Half of it takes on are handled well, between the antagonization brought on to Ellie for her race and the conflict that arises from her being gay. Both aspects of her character are built up over the course of the film and don’t seem abrupt or rushed. The film shows racism towards Ellie and her and father in varying levels, from having her schoolmates specifically address her as "Chinese girl” to the fore mentioned way her Dad is treated due to language barriers. The same can be said about Ellie being a lesbian. While she never truly “comes out” in the narrative, that does not undermine her journey of self-discovery from being meaningful. These ideas aren’t thrust upon the viewer in a preachy manor, the scenarios that occur feel believable given the rural setting. The film presents watchers with problems whom those like Ellie may face, and leaves us to sit with them and reflect.