As a Native American film enthusiast and critic with deep roots in my culture, I find it disheartening to see yet another instance of misrepresentation and cultural insensitivity in Hollywood. The walk-off by 12 Native Americans from the set of “The Ridiculous 6” was a bold statement that echoed through the halls of Tinseltown, reminding us all that our stories are not a joke to be made light of for the sake of entertainment.
In a departure from his usual comedies, Adam Sandler made his debut on Netflix with the western film titled “The Ridiculous 6”, which was released in 2015. The movie features Sandler as Tommy, a white man brought up by Native Americans, alongside Danny Trejo, Terry Crews, and several former cast members from Saturday Night Live, among others. However, the film received negative criticism, and its production was not without controversy. During the making of “The Ridiculous 6”, over 100 Native Americans were part of the cast. Regrettably, numerous individuals from Indigenous nations left the set due to their disapproval of how their culture and heritage were portrayed in the film.
Prior to the Native American performers’ protest against the film “The Ridiculous 6,” attempts were made to rectify the harmful stereotypes and cliches in the script. After they departed from the set of “The Ridiculous 6,” the movie went on to achieve success, leaving Indigenous actors and actresses feeling just as frustrated as before.
The Ridiculous Six Is a Satirical Western Full Of Clichés
As a movie critic, I found myself immersed in Adam Sandler’s latest Netflix production, “The Ridiculous 6,” where he not only donned the director’s hat but also graced the screen as the protagonist, Tommy. Raised among Native Americans after losing my mother at a tender age, Tommy was destined for a life within his adopted tribe, with a marriage on the horizon. However, fate had other plans, leading him on an unexpected adventure that could be likened to a treasure hunt. Along the way, I encountered Tommy’s half-brothers – Rob Schneider, Taylor Lautner, Jorge Garcia, Terry Cruise (I believe you meant Tom Cruise), and Luke Wilson – who together formed the eccentric “Ridiculous 6.
Tommy and his siblings, though diverse in background, may appear as stereotypes. Among them, Sandler’s portrayal of Tommy is particularly noticeable, featuring an inconsistent Native American accent and combat abilities attributed to his childhood with the Apaches.
Loren Anthony, a Navajo actor initially hired as an extra, felt uneasy about how Native Americans were represented in the film, telling the Associated Press that “From the start, it didn’t sit well with me, but we just brushed it aside.” Besides problematic names, incorrect costumes, and dialogue that belittled women and elders within Indigenous communities, The Ridiculous 6 showcased behaviors that were disrespectful to sacred customs and traditional practices.
The Indian Country Today Media Network reported details about offensive content:
Examples of disregard were evident in various instances: nicknaming Native women as ‘Beaver’s Breath’ and ‘No Bra’, a performance depicting an Apache woman in a squatting position urinating while smoking a peace pipe, and the misuse of feathers on a teepee.
Indigenous Americans on Set Tried to Reason with The Ridiculous 6 Production Staff
Ali Young, a member of the Navajo Nation who appeared as an extra in the movie “The Ridiculous 6“, stated that one reason for her leaving the set was because of how she and other cast members were treated by the production team. She clarified this further.
In a conversation with the producers, we expressed our worries. Their response was dismissive, saying, “If you find this too intense for your liking, you might want to consider leaving.” This comment left me feeling quite upset, and I found myself getting tearful right there.
I, too, wasn’t the only one who voiced my concerns to the filmmakers about historical accuracy regarding Native American traditions. Much like another Native American individual, I shared the information that Apache people didn’t traditionally wear braids and chokers. Regrettably, their response was, “It’s written in the script, and we won’t be making any changes.” This response echoed the sentiments often used by Dan Snyder when defending the Redskins. As a Choctaw, I felt frustrated because they were resurfacing familiar arguments. However, I also knew that many Native American actors on set would remain silent, choosing to stay “because they need employment opportunities.
Attempts to talk with Sander were disregarded, and as discussions seemed fruitless, up to 12 Native Americans departed from the filming location of The Ridiculous 6. Reports vary, but some claim that a dozen individuals took part in the protest, while others mention only four actors exiting the set.
Production Continued After the Walk-Off
Following the departure of Native American performers from the film titled “The Ridiculous 6“, around 100 individuals from various indigenous tribes joined the cast for the movie’s production. Upon its release, critics found it unamusing and criticized it as a “monumental failure”, stating that it was “so lacking in creativity and direction, it barely even passes as parody.
Following the release of “The Ridiculous 6”, Netflix commented: “As the title suggests, this movie is absurd – intentionally so. It’s a bold satire of Western films and their stereotypes, with a diverse cast that not only appears in it but also shares in the humor.” Furthermore, Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, commended the film’s success, mentioning that “It has reached #1 in every region we operate, and in many of these regions, it continues to hold this position.
As a devoted cinephile, I can say that for me, “The Ridiculous 6” was a film that solidified my belief in Netflix’s unwavering support. With a whopping $250 million deal with the streaming service, I’m all set to revisit the world of Happy Gilmore again in May 2024, this time as part of a Netflix production. Frank Coraci, the director behind “The Ridiculous 6,” viewed Netflix as an inspiring platform for creativity because, as he put it, “they gave us the freedom to create a film that might have lost its essence if it had gone through the studio system.” However, this creative liberty was met with criticism by Native American communities, who saw it as another installment in a long line of offensive portrayals. Adam Beach, a Saulteaux Anishinaabe with Icelandic roots and familiar face on shows like “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” shares this sentiment, believing that the experience was yet another chapter in a troubling history.
“There will always be attempts to draw on the weakness of native people’s struggles. The savage Indian will always be the savage Indian. The white man will always be smarter and more cunning. The cavalry will always win.”
Jesse Wente, an Ojibwe film director, was heartened by the actions of the cast who left the set of The Ridiculous 6. He viewed it as a symbol of confidence among Indigenous actors. Wente, along with Sante Sioux writer and actor John Trudell, and others argue that the genuine route to change lies in the growth of projects both written by and featuring Native American talent.
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2024-09-23 02:32