The most successful non-Hollywood Native American film in years, Neither Wolf Nor Dog explodes across Big Sky country and into Bozeman at Ellen and Rialto with more openings to follow.
The success of Scottish director Steven Lewis Simpson’s adaptation of best-selling novel, Neither Wolf Nor Dog, defies logic – Hollywood logic that is. It was audience-financed with 18 shoot days, a tiny crew, a 95-year-old star and a self-distributed release that started in small towns and is outperforming Hollywood blockbusters in numerous multiplexes. It has a higher audience score on Rotten Tomatoes than any big Hollywood movie out at the moment (4.7/5 – 96%). The film has had a longer theatrical run than any other US title released in 2017 and has become the most successful non-Hollywood Native American film in years.
Neither Wolf Nor Dog has steadily rolled out through the nation with a phenomenal 81 cinemas between only Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, The Dakotas, and Minnesota and has remarkably passed the 135th theater mark within only 15% of the country. Recently, Oklahoma Film Critics Society’s Louis Fowler named Neither Wolf Nor Dog his number one film of 2017. It’s had massive openings in Billings, where it was extended for three weeks, as well as extended runs in Helena and Missoula. The film is currently on extension in Whitefish and Havre, which has consequently lead to openings in Cut Bank and Polson to meet audience demand. Neither Wolf Nor Dog will screen locally at Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre on Wednesday, April 25th at 7pm, followed closely by an additional screening at the Rialto on Sunday, April 29th at 8:45pm. In combination with the support of Montana communities and a sincere, heartwarming performance by the 95-year-old star, the film has had the biggest release of any small independent film the state has seen in years.
Based on Kent Nerburn’s best-selling Native American novel, Neither Wolf Nor Dog takes audiences on a deeply moving road trip through contemporary and historical Lakota life and culture. Its humor is wry and pulls no punches, introducing deep characters and poignant vignettes that challenge the viewer to see the world differently. Dave Bald Eagle died at the age of 97 in 2016 before the film’s release. For a time his obituary was the most-read feature in the world on BBC. NPR’s All Things Considered team debated on-air whether Bald Eagle was “the world’s most interesting man.” Raised near Browning, Montana native Zahn McClarnon (Fargo, Longmire) co-stars in the film and also helped with its production.
Neither Wolf Nor Dog stars two noted veterans: Dave Bald Eagle was left for dead during D-Day and co-star Christopher Sweeney was awarded the Silver Star following his service during the Gulf War. Some of Dave Bald Eagle’s relatives were among those present during the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, the location where the movie’s climax was filmed. Dave improvised the whole sequence in the most moving way, saying afterwards, “I’ve been holding that in for 95-years.” This wasn’t your average movie shoot.
“By the time the end credits arrive, the characters of this modest, crowdfunded feature are practically unforgettable. It’s immensely serious but no downer.” – Colin Covert, Star Tribune
“Bury the white saviour complex at Wounded Knee.” – Red Dirt Report
Not rated, Neither Wolf Nor Dog runs 110 minutes. For further details about the Bozeman screenings and tickets, visit www.bozemanfilmsociety.org.