In 89 minutes, the stereotypes about Native Americans will be broken down by film.

The film, “Smoke Signals,” is an independent comedy made in 1998 that is written and directed by Native Americans, which Matt Jennings said is a rarity.

“The movie is fully capable of standing on its own merits, regardless of the racial identity of the people behind it,” said Jennings, assistant professor of history.

Sherman Alexie wrote the screenplay and Chris Eyre directed it.

“Smoke Signals” tells the story of two Native American characters, Victor and Thomas, who are on a journey to collect the ashes of Victor’s father in Phoenix.

“It portrays a Native America that is at once profoundly funny and profoundly sad, and uses humor and a Native perspective to take on the legacy of colonialism,” Jennings said.

During their travels, Victor and Thomas face differences with one another and others about what it means to be a contemporary Native American.

Although the film shows stereotypes of Native Americans, the comedic material adds to the film.

“The humor is sort of quirky and different and the main characters are basically the same as most students at EIU,” said Sonja Foster, graduate assistant for TRIO/Student Support Services and Office of Minority Affairs. “I think the comedy adds to the story.”

Foster also said that the comedic material helps in showing certain issues like stereotypes, alcoholism, blame and poverty.

“In my opinion, it seems to soften up some of the issues dealt with in the movie,” she said.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. today in room 1255 of Coleman Hall as a part of Native American Heritage Month.

“Many non-Native students have a narrow conception of Native American life, one that consigns Native people to stereotypical roles or the distant past,” Jennings said.

After the screening, Jennings will lead a discussion about the film, life of Native Americans today and the promise Native life.

“There are important stories that need to be told,” he said. “Films like this expand their understanding.”

Jennings hopes the discussion will open students’ minds.

“It may open their minds and make them think critically about race and the legacy of American conquest,” he said. “They may come away from the evening with a new perspective on Native America, one that allows for more complexity than the abundance of non-Native images of Indians that surround them.”

The movie, itself, is accurate in showing the life of Native Americans today.

“I think they (students) will benefit by seeing a more realistic view of Native Americans and by doing so, hopefully develop an appreciation for and/or enhance their knowledge of the many contributions Native Americans have made to our society,” Foster said.