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your homegrown newspaper
Vol. 19, No. 3
October 5, 2022
Montana made film offers special screening at Showboat By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal
Arrest pg.2
Sports pg. 12
Art
pg. 18
POLSON — A Montana-made film, The Year of the Dog, is offering Montanans a special sneak preview of the film at local theaters, including Polson’s own Showboat Cinema, throughout the state before it becomes commercially available. “We’re always looking for independent films that are good quality to play,” Showboat co-owner Becky Dupuis shared. “Because this one’s made in Montana, it has some people we know personally that were involved with it … We’re just excited. We love to help out our fellow Montanans that’ve worked so hard to make a movie and we like to bring that to our patrons and give them something different to come to.” The movie stars Bozeman-based Michael Spears of the Kul Wicasa Oyate Lakota (often called Sioux) Lower Brulé Tribe of South Dakota. Spears is known for previous roles in Dances with Wolves, FX’s Reservation Dogs, and is now filming the titular role in Sitting Bull. Following the character of Matt, a man struggling with maintaining sobriety in the
THE YEAR OF THE DOG PHOTOS
face of alcoholism, and a rescue dog named Yup’ik, the tale is an emotional journey for them both. “I’m biased because I’m in the movie, but it’s a pretty raw story,” Spears commented. “There’re so many stories to be told out there. I was just happy w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
to bring the Lakota perspective and bring some light to stereotypes that’ve effected Indian country.” A keynote speaker on indigenous health and wellness, mental health and Lakota spirituality, Spears said his value system was reflected in the story.
“I always look for opportunities to bring awareness to mental health and different issues that face our Native youth today and I’m a strong proponent for positive mental health, awareness and different applications,” Spears said. “I
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