Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1984)
CINEMA ‘Attla’ portrays Alaskan folk hero "O-v> V -o' 5JH sT^\ What looks on the surface to be a hybrid of Walt Disney’s “True Life Stories” and the latest installment of “The Wilderness Fami ly” is in reality a beautiful, tender film about a courageous native Alaskan — “Attla.” Though a little rough around the edges and sort of predictable plot-wise. "Attla” is an honest treat ment of the native ways of life not often portrayed in films today. The movie has an intriguing history. Originally titled “Spirit of the Wind." the film was funded by Doyon Limited (an Alaskan investment corporation), for the purpose of giv ing Alaskan and Indian children a modern ethnic hero. Producer-director Ralph Liddle and cinematographer John Logue, documentary filmmakers, came to Doyon with their idea of making a film about Alaskan native and world champion dog-sledder George Attla, a true unsung hero. The film was completed in 1980 and released theatrically in Alaska and at numerous film festivals across the nation. Though it was the third highest grossing film in Alaska as of last year and a multiple festival-award winner, the Hollywood establishment views “Attla” as an uncommercial feature. L.iddle explains: “Hollywood has three rules: don’t make films about minorities, about animals, or about snow. We've got all three.” Liddle and Logue spent a couple of years getting the rights to their film back after a now-bankrupt distributor ac quired them. Now the film is the first release by a company new .to film — the record producer Windham Hill. Liddle, [.ogUe, Windham Hill and numerous friends are nurturing it through a grass-roots release in its first test market: Eueene. COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON "If ‘Attla’ can't make it Eugene,” explains Liddle, “it can't make it anywhere.” George Attla was born into a backwoods trapping family, but was forced to grow up in the city when he contracted tuberculosis. Seven years later he returned home, only to suf fer a mild culture shock and a feeling of insecurity, due to the fact that one of his knees was fused straight because of his disease. Though he tried to return to the city again. Attla realized his heart belonged in the backwoods — trapping, fishing, and especially running a sled team. The acting talents of Pius Savage (George) and George Clutesi (his father) seem to alienate some viewers simply by the foreign-ness of the style. True, some of the delivery sounds stilted or forced, but the speech pattern is actually a fairly accurate re-creation of native speaking. The only complaint 1 have with the film is the simplicity of its plot. But even that is only partially a problem because the plot is nominal. The thrust of the film rests not there, but on the cultural surroundings and contrasts to civilized socie ty, dealt with honestly in terms of George's experience — not, refreshingly, from our points of view. "Attla” is a direct, straightforward film. Logue’s photography is breathtaking, particularly in the outstanding sequence when the river's ice breaks. Liddle sublimates style for content, using predominantly medium shots and long takes for an almost neo-realist look. The beautiful landscape shots are his only vice, and I’ve no complaint there. Outstanding music by Buffy Sainte Marie and beautiful guitar solos by William Ackerman round out the production and smooth over many of the rough edges. This is a simple ef fort at heart, but warmth overcomes most complaints one would have with the film. Sean Axmaker COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON FUCHS’ BUSINESS LIQUIDATIONS 30 East Broadway EUGENE DOWNTOWN MALL ALL COTTON T-SHIRTS Values to 8.00 Your Choice with coupon Limit 10 per coupon Regular and cut-off styles. Many colors to choose from. Youth and adult sizes. Limited to stock on hand. Good thru November 1S. 1984 Mon-Sat 10-5:30, Sunday 12-5 VISA • CHECKS • MASTERCARD COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON Philip Mitchell Winner of the 1984 Alicia Woods Poetry Award Will Be Reciting Originals Plus Selections From Ginsberg and Amichai on Tuesday, November 20, 1984. 7:00 PM 167 EMU What do the EMU Skylight Refectory and an Italian restaurant in Rome have in common? 0 Fine Olalim food piepa*ed (leak daily 0 Relaxing, pleasant aimmpkete 0 Red & white checkered lablecMu 0 A view (he Reman Cehsaetmt STEP UP TO THE SKYLIGHT REFECTORY AND DISCOVER THE FLAVOR OF ITALY Fine, quick cuisine at reasonable prices Located a cloud or two above the EMU Main Desk Open: Mon . Fri 10:30am to 2pm \h muting Yamaha Va”$?b^«p. 8d-sS>?„e •""hn, Tonka X-Country Poles HfJ* 9.H.I Downhill Poles Scott, Metric, “Look Slti Gloves Junior & Knitted Ski Hats Ski Sox “Shell'* Wind Pants Warm Ups “Adult” Ski Sweaters T-Necks SAN MARCO TURBO” I teg ItCi.HI Sale QQ 45, SMITH Snow Flake Fog-X Goggles AO^0" HARVEY FOX’S SPORTING GOODS 199 W. 8th S» V 1-7344 EUGENE • CORVALLIS • ALBANY • SALEM LANE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS November 16th, 17th & 18th Friday: NOON - 9 P.M. Saturday: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Sunday: NOON - 5 P.M. Sit down....take a load off your feet....with an ODE