Main Cast: Ron Lea, Graham Greene, Michael Hogan, Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, Rebecca Jenkins
Release Year: 1992
Country: CA
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Deftly blending Native American mysticism with ecological consciousness, suspense and graphic violence Clearcut is a powerful drama of vengeance and ultimately a lesson well-learned. Set in the Canadian woods, the tale begins during a heated conflict between an Indian tribe and an avaricious paper mill that is systematically destroying the land. When it looks as if all else will fail, a militant Indian leader abducts the owner of the mill and takes him on a Deliverance style wilderness odyssey and a harsh crash-course in tribal culture. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Phil Harris - Policeman on Bullhorn; Dee McCafferty - Guide; Michael J. Reynolds - Hunter; Raoul Trujillo - Eugene; Tom Jackson - Tom Starblanket; John Boylan - Bud's Lawyer
Credit
Kenneth Watkins - Art Director, Kathy Vieira - Costume Designer, Ryszard Bugajski - Director, Michael Rea - Editor, Shane Harvey - Composer (Music Score), Perri Gorrara - Production Designer, Francois Protat - Cinematographer, Ian McDougall - Producer, Stephen J. Roth - Producer, Gareth Wilson - Set Designer, Rob Forsyth - Screenwriter, M.T. Kelly - Book Author
The movie begins and ends as a spirit, known in the movie as Arthur (Greene) enters, and descends back into the world from the water. Then the movie shows an airplane carrying a passenger to an Indian reserve, where they're blockading construction/forestry equipment from clearcutting on Indian land. We later realize that the individual was a lawyer representing the tribe whose land is going to be clearcut and the protesters are angered at the lawyer losing the case & the lawyer came to discuss an appeals process. Wilf (Westerman) is introduced at this time & then he in turn introduces Arthur, who also kidnaps the logging company's general manager, and the four take off through the woods where Arthur "instructs" them in listening to Mother Earth. Surrealistic, in its entirety, throughout the movie you're taken for a ride that will take you through many thought provoking scenes. In particular where Wilf describes Washakeajack, the Indian trickster.
