Open casting call draws 200 potential Lakota movie actors - KOTA Territory News

Open casting call draws 200 potential Lakota movie actors

Filmmakers were in Rapid City Sunday auditioning Native Americans of all ages for an upcoming feature film set on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
 
The filmmakers auditioned more than 200 people in the Lakota Homes area, after 100 tried out Saturday in Pine Ridge.

They're looking for people to star in an upcoming coming-of-age movie about three friends figuring out their lives after high school.

The filmmakers want the story to be authentic, but there's another reason they're looking for actors in KOTA Territory.
 
"We want to connect with the community and we want to involve the community," said Mollye Asher, one of the film's producers. "Eventually, actually, when we're done with the film, we want to start a workshop in Pine Ridge for filmmaking."
 
The potential actors we talked to said even if they don't catch that big break, they're glad the movie will bring attention to their culture.
 
"It's an honor," said Perry Fast Wolf, one of the actors in the long audition line. "I'm glad the world's actually taking a look in our direction now, you know. We've been here for a while now, and I'm actually glad they want the younger generation."
 
The filmmakers plan to be in Mission, S.D., Monday and Kyle, S.D., on Tuesday for more auditions.

They hope to start filming on the Reservation in May for a January release date at the Sundance Film Festival.