Friday, November 14: 7:00 pm

Found in a Chicago area dumpster in 1947, this silent-era melodrama, made by American photographer Edward S. Curtis and featuring performances by the Kwakwaka'wakw of British Columbia, has finally been restored with help of the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Set in a time when the First Nation peoples had not yet encountered Europeans, the film tells of Motana, the chief's son, who must overcome many challenges in the spirit and physical world to woo and win the lovely Naida, a young girl whose bewitching dancing has the power to save her from the evil Sorcerer. This film screens with live musical accompaniment by the Coast Orchestra, a Native American classical ensemble conducted by Timothy Long.

Discussion with Chief Bill Cranmer and William Wasden, Jr. from the U'mista Cultural Centre to follow film

For more information: http://www.curtisfilm.rutgers.edu

Film Restoration: UCLA Film & Television Archive, in cooperation with the Field Museum
John Braham Score: Research Library, The Getty Research Institute (850111)
Performance Edition: David Gilbert, UCLA Music Library