film still courtesy: Gwendolyn Cates

As a Puerto Rican I was excited to see this film which follows the career of New York City Ballet principal dancer, Jock Soto.
Jock is of mixed heritage-Navajo and Puerto Rican. The film was directed by his good friend Gwendolyn Cates-an estblished fashion and celebrity photographer. She also has a book of portraits titled “Indian Country” that features famous American Indian artists and activists. I like the images in her photo book. Although it is not altogether conhesive and the inclusion of Val (Chero)Kilmer is dicey at best. I heard from friends who saw her film at a special screening during this year’s Indian Market that it was a poignent piece, well worth seeing. I like to support female artists and directors since they are hard to come by especially ones with actual talent. So I was highly interested to see what Ms. Cates brought to the screen and her choices in representing certain aspects of Soto’s ethnic identity-most notably how he navigated being Navajo and Nuyorican.
But of course, I missed my opportunity to see the film and meet Jock and Gwendolyn in Toronto. See my “Adventures and Reviews” post for deatils as to why I missed it. (Evidently I can’t read directions)
Needless to say, I was bummed but I did see Jock meandering through a late night party at the Gladstone Hotel. When I mentioned to noone in particular that I wanted to at least meet him I was told he was “tired” which was ironic because I had just driven 12 straight hours just to make his screening and was pretty tired myself, but I didn’t bother him. A few nights later I did meet the director after the awards ceremony, which we also missed. She was in a daze having just won for Best Documentary. She told Sonny Grant she “felt honored” by the indigenous film community. Honestly, there wasn’t much compettion in the documentary department except for Bennie Klain’s Weaving Worlds which is about the best damn documentary you will ever see on the subject of Navajo rug weaving and the buzzard/traders who circle the rez looking for a steal. Though I loved Bennie’s film, and it is certainly deserving of an award or two, I can’t comment on the validity of Ms. Cate’s win. Perhaps her documentary truly is a masterpiece? I will have to see for myself. I will have that opportunity in November here in New York City at the Lincoln Center.

Then I will weigh in as to whether or not it merited and award or not. Of course, it will only be my opinion. HA!
Stay tuned for an in-depth review of the film and a possible podcast interview with photographer/director Gwendolyn Cates.