- [Announcer] This series was created in partnership with the Sundance Institute.

More information at sundance.org Funding for "Native Shorts" was made possible by a generous grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and from viewers like you.

(bold drumming music) ♪ (singing in indigenous language) ♪ ♪ ♪ - [Bird] "Native Shorts", presented by Sundance Institute's Indigenous Program.

- Waka to "Native Shorts"!

I'm Ariel Tweto.

- And, I'm Bird Runningwater.

- On today's episode, we are gonna watch two films.

The first one is "I Am Home", and the second is "Viva Diva".

Bird, can you tell us a little bit about the first one, "I Am Home"?

- Perhaps.

- Please?

(Bird laughs) - "I Am Home" played at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, just recently.

And, the filmmaker is Kymon Greyhorse.

They are Diné and Tongan.

- Okay.

- And, this film is in the Navajo language and it's a poem written in honor of the matriarchs in the filmmakers' family: mother, aunties, grandmothers, great-grandmothers.

- Awesome.

Okay.

Please enjoy, "I Am Home".

(film machine whirring/clattering) [wind blowing] [sheep/goats bleating] (wind whistling) (birds chirping/singing) (wind blowing) (narrator speaking Diné language) [peaceful piano music] (soft jingling sounds) (narrator speaking Diné language) ♪ (narrator speaking Diné language) (narrator speaking Diné language) (wind whistling) (narrator speaking Diné language) ♪ (birds chirping) (narrator speaking Diné language) (birds singing) [peaceful piano music] (narrator speaking Diné language) (birds squawking/singing) (thunder rumbling) (narrator speaking Diné language) ♪ (thunder rumbling) (narrator speaking Diné language) (footsteps pounding) (narrator speaking Diné language) ♪ (footsteps pounding) (beads jingling) (exhaling slowly) (wind whistling) [slow light drum tapping] ♪ [wind whistling] - [Ariel] Ah, I really like this one!

So, poetic and-- yeah, it is very connectable.

- [Bird] Yeah!

(laughs) Well, I think I like this short film because it's short and sweet.

- Yeah.

- There's a lot to be said for telling like a film, a story in a film under five minutes, you know?

It's really hard to do.

And, I think that Kymon obviously achieves that in this short film.

Metaphorically, I feel like the voice, the woman in the film is really kind of describing herself and kind of comparatively to kind of the traditional Navajo home, which is a hogan with, in terms of the mud and the wood and the windows and the relationship to the body.

And, I think that even like, Navajo speakers might take a whole-- so many other layers of meaning, I think, to the story.

- Yeah, I know.

I think for me, it really resonated with me 'cause I feel so close to nature, to trees, to mud, to clay, to the rocks, to the sky.

So, I'm like, I really love that.

And I, like-- I sometimes feel more connected to a tree than I do to other people.

(Bird chuckles) And so, I'm like, "Oh, that's my tree person."

And, I love what she said about, "Though I look different, I am still the same."

And, like, it just shows like how you grow throughout time, but we're, like, still the same person, but you may learn different things and all that.

So, I really liked it.

- Yeah.

And, like-- and I think building on top of that, and also in relationship to the language, Navajo language speaker kind of experience of this story, I kind of felt like there were metaphorical references to the first woman in the Navajo kind of belief system and creation story.

And, the way that she's saying, "I am still here," and all these references to past and present and future, and always being the same.

- Mm hm.

- And, it's kind of like, I dunno.

It's just so complex and so meaningful.

I just really loved it.

- And, circling back to what you said earlier about, like, distinct.

Like, in these short films, every second has to count and then, yeah.

And, they did such a great job of, like, every second counted in this film.

So-- Okay.

So, let's move on to "Viva Diva".

- Okay, diva!

(Bird laughs) Alright.

Well, "Viva Diva" is from Daniel Flores, who is Yaqui and Mexican.

And, I know Daniel as somebody who is trans.

They were in the Sundance Native Lab, I think way back in 2015 or so, maybe.

But, this is a short film that they wrote and wanted to make, kind of talking about trans acceptance and maybe even rejection within community and family.

And, it's a pretty complex story.

And, I do have to say that there is a trigger warning for gun violence.

So, if you are sensitive to that, we should let you know that there is that in this film.

- Okay.

So, let's watch the film.

Come back, and chitchat about it.

Okay, let's watch it: "Viva Diva".

(film machine whirring/clattering) ♪ [elegant orchestral string music] ♪ Fly and catch the wind ♪ ♪ Like a lullaby ♪ ♪ Chasing whispers in the air ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ Wake up ♪ ♪ Wake up ♪ ♪ It's my battle cry ♪ ♪ ♪ What's the mileage ♪ ♪ On a morning prayer?

♪ ♪ What's the meaning ♪ ♪ Of a butterfly?

♪ (tires scrape gravel) ♪ ♪ (hand brake squeaks) ♪ (door clicks shut) ♪ ♪ (wind whistling) - [Roze] Steven?

- It's been a while.

How can I help you?

- Can I get two tacos and two bottles of water?

One for me and one for my girlfriend.

- Girlfriend?

How does a tranny have a girlfriend?

- Look.

If it wasn't so far until the next stop, I would've gone someplace else.

- Alright, don't get your panties in a bunch.

Phyllis?

Gimme two for her.

Two bottles of water.

Here you go.

♪ - [Steven] Okay, that's-?

Gimme $9.

♪ Hold on.

You got a dollar coming back.

♪ Now, get outta here.

♪ (whispers) - [Phyllis] Did you know that when she was a child, she was a boy?

- Of course I knew that.

♪ (fierce wind blowing) (door thumps shut) (fierce wind blowing) - [Roze] Some water!

(door thumps shut) - [Diva] Great!

Now, I can take my pills so I can live another day.

(wind whistling) - I know you didn't ask for anything, but I got your taco.

- Oh?

They didn't have any pink tacos?

- The only pink tacos we need are the ones we're going to Mexico for!

(giggles) - I plugged in the address to see how it shook in the GPS.

He's near the border.

♪ - Let's get the hell out of here!

(car starts) - Buckle up that seat belt.

You know I don't play that.

(tires grinding rocks) [light whimsical music] ♪ ♪ - [Diva] You grew up around here, didn't you?

- I did.

But it doesn't feel like it, really.

- What do you mean?

- You know that... feeling of home?

I only feel that with you.

- Oh, stop it, Roze.

- It's true!

- I know what you mean.

It's, it's cold out there.

- Like I'm in... some kind of a nightmare.

- I'm starting to feel that way more and more.

- Diva...?

- I'm sorry.

- It's not a death sentence, like how it used to be.

- Are you positive?

(Roze laughs) - I can feel the wind between my legs already!

Like I bit into a peppermint patty!

(Diva laughs) Minty fresh!

- It'll be a new beginning for us.

(smooch) - I like you, dude!

(Diva giggles) - You seriously brought those with you?

- Aren't they pretty?

- They're dead.

- No.

They're preserved.

- Dead.

- Dried!

- Semantics!

- Not "semen-tics".

More like shades of meaning.

- No.

"Semantics."

- What did I say?

- You said "semen-tics!"

(laughs) - Wow!

(joyful laughter) [upbeat string music] ♪ [low dark string music] ♪ ♪ (hand brake squeaks) - You don't have to go, Rozene.

You should skip this one.

- Diva... Once I'm finished, we'll get back on the road.

I love you.

(Diva sighs) (door clicks) [unsettling music] (footsteps crunch gravel) ♪ - I love you, too.

(Roze knocks) [unsettling guitar music] ♪ (door squeaks open) ♪ (door squeaks shut) - Come in, come in.

You look just like your ad.

- Do I look-?

- Let me, let me grab you a glass of water.

- Familiar?

[curious music] ♪ ♪ [light flute/ string music] ♪ (items clacking lightly) ♪ ♪ - Just what do you think you're doin'?

- Don't you know who I am?

[tense music] - Take that off, right now.

(gun clicking) - Come one step closer and I'll blow your head off... Dad.

(crickets chirping) ♪ [light airy string music] ♪ ♪ (door clicks open) ♪ (door clicks shut) ♪ - My son.

- It's Rozene now!

[suspenseful music] - Is that really you?

- Been on hormones for years now.

Yes, it's me.

But, more than that has changed.

You going to Craigslist after mom died?

[ominous music] ♪ - If I would've known it was you... ♪ - Take that ring off!

- If I would've known you- - Take...that ring off!

- Known it was you...

I wouldn't have called you!

♪ You look just like her!

- All I wanted was a normal life, ♪ to be me!

♪ But, no.

You wouldn't let me!

♪ And, I had to go on my own.

♪ I had to sell my soul to survive!

♪ - Wish you could've killed me?

♪ [light airy string music] (soft wind blowing) (leaves rustling) ♪ ♪ (leaves rustling) ♪ (tearfully) - I just want to go back.

♪ [dark tense guitar music] - I'm gonna do all that I can to make her happy.

♪ With these rings, ♪ I am gonna ask her to marry me.

And, one day... we're gonna be what you two could never be to some kids who really need somebody.

♪ (metal ring plinking) (scuffling sounds) - Ugh?!

♪ (angry) - You ruined us!

We said goodbye to you a long time ago.

(Roze whimpers) You... will burn in...hell.

♪ (angry sobbing) Your mother... was in agony over what you'd become ♪ up until the day she died.

♪ And, as long as you're alive, I won't find happiness.

(Roze heaves) (whispers) - Diva... ♪ [light airy music] ♪ (chain clinking) [light airy music] ♪ ♪ - Rozene, is that you?

♪ ♪ [low ominous string music] Are you leaving me?

- I am.

(shaky) - No, please don't.

Here.

Here, I'll go.

You stay.

♪ - No.

♪ I'll always be in your heart ♪ and you'll be what you're always meant to be.

(Diva cries) - What was I meant to be?

What do you mean?

Just please don't go!

- Free.

♪ You were meant to be free.

♪ ♪ - [Rozene] Live on, my love.

(gun fires twice) [ominous string music] (door clicks) [suspenseful guitar music] ♪ ♪ [suspenseful music] ♪ ♪ [light somber drum tapping] [vocalizing/singing in indigenous language] ♪ Wake up ♪ ♪ Butterfly, wake up ♪ [vocalizing/singing in indigenous language] [funky synthesizer music] [vocalizing/singing in indigenous language] ♪ [vocalizing/singing in indigenous language] - [Ariel] Aw?!

Did she just find her?

- [Bird] I don't know.

An ambiguous ending.

- Well, yeah.

That's sad!

- Yeah.

- It's like a current-- I guess in like current day Romeo and Juliet story.

- Mm.

- But, current indigenous- - Set in the trans world.

- Yeah.

- The indigenous trans world.

- So, many layers!

(laughs) - Right!

- Yeah.

Geez!

- Exactly.

- What were your thoughts?

- Well, I think there's a lot going on in this short film.

It's 15 minutes long.

And, I think Daniel's main intent was really to try to tell a trans story of acceptance on one hand in terms of a love story, but also then kind of maybe the lack of acceptance or rejection when it comes to family.

- Yeah.

And, that was her dad.

- And, that was her dad.

- Yeah.

That- - Yeah.

And, I think wanting to maybe reconcile or confront, whatever that rejection was.

- Shame?

Because he keep bringing up the mom and how, like-?

Yeah.

Like, there's so much shame and guilt.

And-?

Yeah.

So, there's that whole sadness brought into it.

It's very-- it reminds me of, like, a '80s film, like almost like a-- just how it was shot.

- Like "Thelma & Louise".

- Yeah.

And, the music?

- Yeah.

- There's a lot of, like, different types of music.

- And, the butterflies.

- The butterflies.

So, we have butterfly's transformation.

- Mm hm.

Like, I feel like it means like new beginnings, new endings.

- I mean, it's also got like these metaphorical, kind of fantastical...like the imagery at the end.

- Oh, yeah.

- Like the white gowns and, like, the butterflies.

- Yeah.

Tim Burton-esque.

Like, it was so like "Fantasia".

Yeah.

It reminded me of a lot of things.

So-?

But, I know that I've seen it before, but in a different iteration.

Is that a word?

Iteration?

- Probably so.

You know?

One of the things that I remember working with these short filmmakers whenever they were making their films, it's like they were always editing, always changing, always trying to get to the best version of their story.

- Yeah.

- You may have seen another version.

- Because the short story- - I've seen a hundred.

- I bet way more than that!

(he laughs) I've seen a hundred and you've seen, like, probably thousands.

- Yes!

- I bet.

You're the expert!

- No.

- I'm just little ol' me just trying to hang on!

(Bird laughs) I'm like, what does that mean?

But, yeah.

No.

Yeah.

This is a really interesting-- I like these ones that have a whole like beginning, middle, end.

- Yeah.

- Like, it wasn't really that ambiguous in terms of this-- like the story was easy to follow.

But, then there was portions- - Yeah.

- But, the end is ambiguous.

- Yeah!

- Like, with the- - Was it?

- One character peering through the door.

You don't really know what she sees, but you hear gunshots- - Yeah.

- before that.

I mean, I don't know.

I guess with the metaphor of- - Yeah.

- her saying goodbye, we kind of get the impression of what happened.

- But, when I first was watching, I thought that she became the butterfly and was, like, fluttering away.

- Well, did you see the shadow of the butterfly on the door?

- No!

- Yes.

- See?

And, that's a good point!

I need-- I feel like in a lot of these short films, you have to watch it a couple times.

- Yeah.

- And, every time you watch it, you see more and more layers and layers and layers, and understandings.

And, we go, "That's what it meant!"

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

So, I'm gonna go back and rewatch this one 'cause I really liked it.

- Well, I do really do applaud Daniel.

Just like there was a time in our native storytelling history where almost only men were telling stories and all the stories were very male-oriented.

And then, we started getting a lot more women filmmakers into the mix, and having women-centered stories.

And so, part of the appeal of this script and this story was that it was a trans, LGBTQIA+ story, which was something that 10 years ago that we were hardly seeing anything in that world, in that vein.

And so, I just really applaud Daniel for going down this road.

- Look at all these indigenous filmmakers kicking the door open for-!

- Right?

And, diversifying- - Yeah!

- the points of view and who gets centered in stories.

- Yeah.

Well?

Bravo, bravo.

(light handclaps) I think that's all the time we have for today.

I hope you guys enjoyed these two films.

I sure did.

Thank you, Bird, for filling my little brain with all that knowledge.

[bold drumming music] Yeah.

So- - You're welcome!

- No, yeah.

Well, until next time, thank you all!

♪ - [Ariel] For today's episode, I'm wearing a velvet romper by Ashley Tabaja by Valerie Ashley.

My bracelets are from Jennifer Younger, earrings from Felix Earl, and naja brooch from Daniel John.

(laughter) - [Bird] And, I'm wearing a shirt by Kente Gentlemen, abalone and copper jewelry by Jennifer Younger.

♪ - [Announcer] This series was created in partnership with the Sundance Institute.

More information at sundance.org Funding for "Native Shorts" was made possible by a generous grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and from viewers like you.