ISTINMA / TO REST  2014

It is our hope that this short film can introduce a piece of contemporary Native America to a wider audience; while also speaking about complex intersections of history and spirituality. We focus on a modern family, facing the everyday struggles, difficult realities and generational scars. As a surprised young Lakota woman said to me on Pine Ridge, “You’re making a film about Indians as real, everyday people. How new.”

Directed by: Andres Torres-Vives

Producer: James Q. Chan

Executive Producer: Kevin Killer

Written by: Andres Torres-Vives and Jesse Short Bull

Director of Photography: Paul de Lumen

 Casting: Rene Haynes, CSA  

Lakota Lullaby: Shawn Little Thunder

Scott S. Mean, (Son) (Imprint, Lakota Woman, Crazy Horse) is Hopi and Lakota Indian and deeply rooted in both cultures. Scott appeared in two films with his father, Russell Means, The Last of the Mohicans and Wind River. In addition to performing on stage, screen, and radio, Scott is the Program Coordinator for ATEYAPI, a middle school program helping urban Indian youth empower themselves by mentoring through cultural perspectives. He resides in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

“This film is part of a larger conversation that’s happening in Indian country. A lot of men are pulling themselves up, pulling each other up. It added more meaning to the role for me, it also added more meaning to my life, it helped me connect more with my father." S.M.

“Lakota story telling was always open-ended, it always let the listener figure what the story is or what the lessons were. It encourages the listener to dialogue or think for themselves. That’s the true Lakota storytelling and that’s how this film leaves people.” S.M.

Milo Yellow Hair, (Father) -- (Skins, The Spirit of Crazy Horse) is a fullblood Oglala Lakota Sioux. In addition to his film work, Milo is an activist, historian, and former tribal vice-president. An AIM Member and Wounded Knee 1973 Veteran, for nearly four decades, Milo has dedicated his life as an advocate for political justice, social change and environmental preservation and has traveled the world informing and educating other cultures about Native American history and customs. On Pine Ridge, he assists families and youth with the organization of over 200 community-based gardens, and has been involved with advocacy efforts against the contamination of local aquifers from uranium mining in the Black Hills, which studies suggest are contributing to health issues on the reservation. Milo lives in Pine Ridge Reservation with his wife Moniek.

 “The reasons why I wanted to be a part of the film was to scratch below the surface of the "finely feathered Chief" attacking wagon trains and carrying off white women. Looking at what makes an Indian drink, examining what happens to the family structure while trying to accommodate the demands of the dominant society, the human cost of it all. To reignite the light at the end of the tunnel we need to understand where we came from.” M.Y.

THE BRIDGE  2013

Fourteen year-old Emilio braves the consequences of coming-out in his tough Los Angeles barrio.

writer / director   Andres Torres-Vives

producer  Nicole Vinnola

executive producer  Film Independent Los Angeles

THE BOOK OF THE BORDER   U.S.A./Mexico, 2009   30 mins

written, produced and directed by  andres torres-vives

produced by enrique herrera, xochitl dorsey, laura irene arvisu

associate producer  karina garcia pardo

director of photography  paul de lumen

art director  tania candiani

The Book of the Border is a narrative, short film about the end of a family. A seemingly normal day in the life of a father, mother and daughter, split by the U.S./Mexico border, becomes the last one they will have as a family.

Filmed at the San Diego/Tijuana border, the bilingual film follows Juan, Maria and their daughter Lucia. Juan is an undocumented construction worker building San Diego’s suburbs. He is good at what he does, works hard and follows the rules. He shares a cheap apartment to save money for his family, while going to night school to learn English. He has lived without his wife Maria and daughter for 4 years. Maria and Lucia live in Tijuana, unable to cross into the United States. Maria is a bright young woman who had a carefree life until the unexpected birth of her daughter. She now works in a sewing factory and tries to manage a life for her and Lucia. She dreams of her past freedoms and of becoming an artist. Ten-year old Lucia has grown up quickly, taking care of herself, and sometimes her mother. She has been afflicted by a childhood pulmonary disorder since birth.

The screenplay for The Book of the Border was written during a Fulbright Fellowship in Filmmaking by Andres Torres-Vives in Mexico City. The film was awarded McNamara Foundation, and Edie and Lew Wasserman production grants, the Jack Nicholson Distinguished Prize in Directing, the Antonio David Blanco Fellowship and nominated “Best Theatrical Short” at the Imagen Awards

ON KILLING  2008

Michael returns home from Operation Iraqi Freedom to find his brother has enlisted and no one seems to remember there is still a war. Since the war has become a part of Michael, he decides to bring the war to a world that has forgotten.