The Exiles

The Exiles is an avant-garde indie film known for its stylistic cinematic choices and exploration of marginalized communities. Initially released in 1961, it was directed by Kent Mackenzie, a filmmaker renowned for his unique storytelling lenses and innovative directorial methods.

The Exiles is set over 12 hours in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles and meticulously documents the lives of a small group of Native Americans living in the city. Right off the bat, the movie’s premise breaks the stereotype of Native American lives generally depicted amidst nature reserves. Instead, it showcases an urban setting and illustrates the challenges faced by this community navigating the complex city life.

The movie primarily centers around a young protagonist named Yvonne, who is pregnant and apprehensive about her impending motherhood. Her husband, Homer, is portrayed as a free-spirited, yet disoriented soul who seems perpetually in conflict with standard societal norms. Rounding out the main characters is Tommy, Homer’s roguish friend, who lives life on the edge and is constantly in pursuit of pleasure.

The film's narrative structure is distinct, as it weaves an intimate portrait of these characters through their banal conversations, mundane activities, and their vibrant nightlife escapades. The Exiles presents a poignant portrayal of the solitary lives of these characters while highlighting the broader social issues that mar their existence. With its distinct blend of documentary and fiction, it creates an austere commentary about dislocation, alienation, and cultural erasure that cut across personal and social dimensions.

Throughout its duration, the film masterfully employs elements of cinema verite and a non-linear narrative, balancing telling shots of the city’s physical landscapes with introspective vistas into the characters’ interior lives. It creates a magnetic aesthetic and emotional ambivalence between traces of cultural nostalgia, present hardships, and hopes for a better future. Apart from its innovative visual narrative, the movie is also known for its effective use of music. Rock n’roll and traditional Native American chants, juxtaposed in the soundtrack, add depth to the narrative, drawing attention to the cultural struggles experienced by the characters.

One of the film's defining aspects is its choice not to professional actors – almost all of the characters were played by non-professional actors, further contributing to the film's authenticity. The inclusion of voices and experiences of real-life Native Americans living in Los Angeles results in a raw, unfiltered narrative that resonates at a deeply personal level.

The Exiles was almost forgotten after its initial release, only to be rediscovered and restored in 2008. The film's resurrection brought it much-deserved acclaim and the attention of a wider audience. It has since been championed as a masterpiece of independent cinema, and is celebrated not only for its artistic approach but also for its socio-cultural implications.

Today, The Exiles stands as a celebrated document of a marginalized urban sub-culture and a testament to the lives of many Native Americans who, like the characters in the story, were forced to leave their reserves in the mid-20th century. It offers viewers a journey into a rarely seen side of American history, delivering a compelling life sketch of a forgotten community through its stark, beautiful, and candid portrayal.

It is a film that resonates far beyond its running time, leaving the viewer to ponder on the effects of cultural displacement, urbanization, and the universal human quest for identity and belonging. The Exiles is a film that is simultaneously a heartrending personal narrative and a profound social commentary, making it an essential viewing for those seeking to understand diverse cultural landscapes within the larger narrative of American history.