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'Gangland' director Vincent Grashaw brings Native American story to Jerusalem Film Festival

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Director Vincent Grashaw presents "Gangland," a crime drama set on a fictional Native American reservation, at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
  • The film explores themes of poverty, drug trafficking, gang violence, and generational trauma within the community.
  • Grashaw was drawn to the screenplay's authenticity, which was written by Zach Montague, a former Canadian police officer with reservation experience.

Director Vincent Grashaw is attending the Jerusalem Film Festival to present "Gangland," a crime drama he describes as "wholly authentic and lived-in." The film is set on the fictional Thunderstone Reservation in the American Southwest and delves into the struggles of a Native American community facing poverty, drug trafficking, gang violence, and the enduring weight of historical trauma.

It felt wholly authentic and lived-in.

— Vincent GrashawGrashaw describes his initial reaction to the screenplay for 'Gangland'.

Lou Diamond Phillips stars as Teddy, the chief of a small tribal police force, who is joined by Sandra, an officer with her own troubled past transferred from outside the community. Grashaw, known for his interest in gang culture and the motivations behind violent organizations, found the screenplay for "Gangland" on the Black List website. The script, written by Zach Montague, particularly resonated with Grashaw due to its perceived realism.

That’s how it registered to me – very believable.

— Vincent GrashawGrashaw elaborates on the authenticity he perceived in the film's world.

Montague's background as a Canadian police officer who worked in reservation communities provided a foundation for the script's authenticity. Initially set in Canada, the screenplay was adapted to the United States, reflecting the complex jurisdictional landscape of tribal police departments. Grashaw noted the dynamic between tribal police, local sheriffs, and other law-enforcement agencies, highlighting instances of both cooperation and conflict.

I’ve always been curious about how people can fall into that certain way of life, which is violent and ugly in a lot of ways.

— Vincent GrashawGrashaw explains his long-standing interest in the factors that lead individuals into violent organizations.

While the filmmakers considered basing the story on a specific reservation like Pine Ridge, consultant Marcus Red Thunder advised them to create a fictional setting, "Thunderstone Reservation," that could represent "any tribe." Red Thunder, who had previously collaborated with Phillips, played a key role in shaping the fictional community and advising on the production's cultural accuracy.

What was the appeal to it? I was always interested in why people make those decisions.

— Vincent GrashawGrashaw further elaborates on his fascination with the motivations behind joining violent groups.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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