Red Fever

From the filmmakers who gave us Reel Injun and Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World, Neil Diamond and Catherine Bainbridge, Red Fever offers a witty and entertaining look into the many ways the Indigenous peoples of this land have left their mark on the culture we all share. The film follows Cree co-director Neil Diamond as he sets out on a journey to find out why the world is so fascinated with the stereotypical imagery of Native people that is all over pop culture. Sometimes, it’s as obvious as in the fashion world’s appropriation of native dress and design or in the many sports teams named the Chiefs, the Braves, or the Redskins… But other truths are hidden, neglected or suppressed. Case in point, it was the Carlisle Indians — a Native American boarding school team — who introduced the forward throw to American football. And Jesuit reports of Native American tribal structures inspired the authors of the Enlightenment. Even the US constitution shows the influence of Native American political customs and philosophy… Packed with fascinating asides and navigated with a light touch by Diamond, this film may just change the way students understand the world we live in.

As an expression of Indigenous pride, Red Fever radiates a feel-good vibe that seeks to inform rather than scold or shame… As one talking head notes, there is a bitter irony to the fact that, when Europeans colonised North America, their governments were far less advanced than those of the people they viewed as unsophisticated savages. But the filmmakers, embodied by Diamond’s friendly demeanour, choose resilience over bitterness. Red Fever is an act of defiance, a statement of visibility from cultures that were threatened with erasure but are growing more powerful in reclaiming some of what has been taken from them.

Tim Grierson, Screen Daily