Mile Post 398
Encyclopedia
Mile Post 398 is a 2007
independent
drama film
written, directed and produced by Shonie and Andee De La Rosa, it is also the first featured film in cinema
history that an all-Navajo
team wrote, produced, directed, filmed and starred in.
Filmed almost entirely in Kayenta, Arizona
, as well as in several other locations in the surrounding region, (Black Mesa
, Chinle
, Many Farms and Tsegi). It was an official selection of the American Indian Film Festival
and Monument Valley Film Festival
.
, Cloyd Begay (Beau Benally), has been a victim
of alcohol abuse
and domestic violence
throughout his childhood in result having him resorting to alcohol to repress his memories. As he is willing to take responsible for his life and as husband and father, his drinking buddies Jimmy (Gerald Vandever) and Marty (James Junes) cultivate in having Cloyd continue their carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying, preventing him to change. All the while, his wife Lorraine (Kim White) and son Michael (KJ White) begin to lose hope in him and seriously consider leaving him. As the ensuing events unfold, it leads him making the choice that will change his life forever.
2007 in film
This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
independent
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
written, directed and produced by Shonie and Andee De La Rosa, it is also the first featured film in cinema
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
history that an all-Navajo
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
team wrote, produced, directed, filmed and starred in.
Filmed almost entirely in Kayenta, Arizona
Kayenta, Arizona
Kayenta is a census-designated place which is part of the Navajo Nation and is in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. The population was 5,189 at the 2010 census. Kayenta is located south of Monument Valley and contains a number of hotels and motels which service visitors to Monument...
, as well as in several other locations in the surrounding region, (Black Mesa
Black Mesa, Arizona
Black Mesa is an upland area in Navajo County, Arizona. In Navajo it is called and during Mexican rule of Arizona it was called Mesa de las Vacas . It derives its dark appearance from the numerous seams of coal which run through it...
, Chinle
Chinle, Arizona
Chinle is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 5,366 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chinle is located at ....
, Many Farms and Tsegi). It was an official selection of the American Indian Film Festival
American Indian Film Festival
The American Indian Film Festival is an annual non-profit film festival in San Francisco. It is the world's oldest venue dedicated to Native American films and prepared the way for the 1979 formation of the American Indian Film Institute....
and Monument Valley Film Festival
Monument Valley Film Festival
Monument Valley Film, Blues & Arts Festival is an annual film festival held in Kayenta, Arizona. Established in 2007 by filmmakers Shonie and Andee De La Rosa. They are most known prior for their collaborate effort in the groundbreaking documentary film "G" and the release of their first full...
.
Plot
Taking place on the Navajo NationNavajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
, Cloyd Begay (Beau Benally), has been a victim
Victimology
Victimology is the scientific study of victimization, including the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system — that is, the police and courts, and corrections officials — and the connections between victims and other social groups...
of alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. Alcohol abuse eventually progresses to alcoholism, a condition in which an individual becomes dependent on alcoholic beverages in order to avoid...
and domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
throughout his childhood in result having him resorting to alcohol to repress his memories. As he is willing to take responsible for his life and as husband and father, his drinking buddies Jimmy (Gerald Vandever) and Marty (James Junes) cultivate in having Cloyd continue their carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying, preventing him to change. All the while, his wife Lorraine (Kim White) and son Michael (KJ White) begin to lose hope in him and seriously consider leaving him. As the ensuing events unfold, it leads him making the choice that will change his life forever.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
| Beau Benally | Cloyd Begay |
| Gerald Vandever | Jimmy, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies |
| James Junes | Marty, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies |
| Earnest “Ernie” David Tsosie III | Ray Yazzie, Cloyd's friend |
| Kim White | Lorraine Begay, Cloyd's wife |
| KJ White | Michael Begay, Cloyd's son |
| Dwayne Lake | Steven, Cloyd's boss |
| Anthony "Horse" Yellowhorse | Horse, Bootlegger |
Awards
| Year | Award | Winner/Nominee | Category | Result |
| 2007 | American Indian Film Festival American Indian Film Festival The American Indian Film Festival is an annual non-profit film festival in San Francisco. It is the world's oldest venue dedicated to Native American films and prepared the way for the 1979 formation of the American Indian Film Institute.... |
Earnest “Ernie” David Tsosie III | Best Supporting Actor | |
| Fargo Film Festival | Shonie and Andee de la Rosa | Native American Voices/Best Narrative Feature | ||
| Tulalip Film Festival | Shonie and Andee de la Rosa | Best Drama | ||
| Best Screenplay | ||||
| 2008 | Talking Stick Film Festival | Beau Benally | Best Actor |