LOGLINE: A reunion/redemption story set on a Northern California Indian reservation. SYNOPSIS: Nick Thomas, a Pomo Indian and a successful Los Angeles radio host, is forced back to the reservation to help his brother Chi (Gil Birmingham), and tribal leader Rich Knight (Gary Farmer) lead the Tule Lake Rancheria out of danger from a seedy casino investor (Mark Boone Jr.), ultimately claiming sovereignty of their Native American rights. The struggles inherent on reservations today are depicted in this day-in-the-life drama based on true characters and events. The film dispels current stereotypes and myths about modern Native American culture while showcasing the depths of the heritage that thrives today. FILM FACTS: • Shot on location in Lakeport, California (Clear Lake), in Lake County, North of San Francisco, home to Big Valley Rancheria. • Pomo tribal members, who had no prior acting experience, were cast in many of the roles in the film, which allowed for greater authenticity of the portrayal of the tribe. • Contributors to the making of the film include: The Big Valley Rancheria, The Robinson Rancheria, The Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina, The Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino, the local Lakeport CA community FILM SPECS: • Total Running Time: 97 minutes • Length of Film (total running time): 97 minutes 40 seconds • Camera: Panasonic AG-DVX100, shot in 24p • Sound: Dolby Stereo • Aspect Ratio: 4:3 letterboxed CAST Actor/Character Gil Birmingham Charles “Chi” Thomas Timothy Ramos Nick Thomas Julia Jones April Cordova Gary Farmer Rich Night Mark Boone Jr. Jonathan Jensen Emil Zidek Todd Garrett GIL BIRMINGHAM as Charles “Chi” Thomas Known for: Billy Black of the Twilight Saga imdb Born in San Antonio, Texas, award-winning actor Gil Birmingham made his first TV appearance on an episode of Riptide, and has gone on to star in more than 40 film and television productions. Recently, Birmingham has generated public acclaim for his iconic portrayal as Billy Black in TWILIGHT, NEW MOON, and ECLIPSE, and BREAKING DAWN of the Twilight Saga based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer. His many TV and Film credits include appearances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Skins, Gentle Ben, Body & Soul, Dreamkeeper, End of the Spear, Love’s Long Journey, Charmed, Veronica Mars, 10 Items or Less, Nip/Tuck, and most recently, Castle and THE LOVE RANCH, starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, directed by Taylor Hackford. Gil is also recognized for his powerful portrayal of Dogstar in Steven Spielberg’s six-part miniseries, Into the West, which captured the attention of audiences worldwide. It was through his eyes that viewers witnessed the atrocities and devastation that occurred at Wounded Knee in 1890. In addition to on-camera roles, Birmingham’s voiceover work includes appearances in THE WILD THORNBERRYS, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM AND TUROK: SON OF STONE AND RANGO. JULIA JONES as April Cordova Known for: Leah of the Twilight Saga imdb Julia Jones is quickly emerging as one of the entertainment industry’s brightest talents. After her breakout performance in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE last year, Jones went on to co-star in JONAH HEX opposite Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich in the summer of 2010. Jones will next been seen reprising her role as Leah Clearwater in the TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN Part 1 in theaters on November 18, 2011. Jones just wrapped work on the independent film MISSED CONNECTIONS directed by Martin Snyder. The movie is focused on the realities of dating and relationships in today technologically savy world. Beginning her film career back in 2003, Jones was first seen in THE LOOK, a dark comedy that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her other credits include Rick Schroder's directorial debut BLACK CLOUD, opposite Rick Schroder and Tim McGraw; Quentin Tarantino’s HELL RIDE, THREE PRIESTS, and CALIFORNIA INDIAN. Jones also has television credits including a recurring role as Dr. Kaya Montoya on “ER” in its final season. GARY FARMER as Rich Knight (Known for DEAD MAN, ADAPTATION, THE SCORE) imdb As an American character actor with plenty of character, with over 100 Film and TV appearances attached to his resume, and plenty more in the pipeline, Gary has shown he can adapt easily to any genre when necessary. He was born in Ohsweken, Ontario, into the Cayuga nation and Wolf Clan, and studied photography and Film at both the Syracuse University and Ryerson Polytechnic University. He then began a successful career as an actor, first taking small roles in movies such as Police Academy (1984), the John Schlesinger film The Believers (1987) with Martin Sheen, the Matt Dillon vehicle, The Big Town (1987), and Renegades (1989) starring Kiefer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Phillips. By the early 1990s, Gary was starring in more substantial roles. He portrayed Cowboy Dashee in the Robert Redford- produced thriller, The Dark Wind (1991) - again opposite Lou Diamond Phillips - and starred with Corey Feldman and Corey Haim in the drama Blown Away (1993). Lou Diamond Phillips cast Gary in his directorial debut Sioux City (1994) and Ernest R. Dickerson cast him in the first "Tales from the Crypt" (1989) horror movie Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) with Billy Zane: Gary played a small town deputy. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his memorable performance as Nobody in the Jim Jarmusch independent western Dead Man (1995), in which he starred opposite Johnny Depp, and again for his role in Smoke Signals (1998). Jim Jarmusch re-prised Gary's role as the Native American spiritual guide - Nobody - for his next film, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), and Frank Oz cast him alongside Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro in The Score (2001). Gary continues to work steadily as an actor and has also moved behind the camera - he has directed a few projects, including an episode of the "Forever Knight" (1989) TV series, episode 'Father Figure' (1992). CREW Written and Directed By Timothy Ramos Produced By Chris Eyre Executive Producers Lynn Valbuena Stephen Valbuena Laurie Ramos Co-Producers Richard Castaniero Michael Huens Duane Humeyestewa Composer Marcos Loya Edited By Peter Fuller Paul Renner Download complete Cast and Crew Credits (pdf) TIMOTHY RAMOS as Nick Thomas Writer / Director imDb One of only a handful of first generation Native American directors working in the industry today and an enrolled member of the Pomo Indian tribe of Northern California, Tim was raised on the Big Valley Rancheria (reservation.) The films and documentary projects that Tim chooses to work on all pertain to furthering the awareness of the Native American experience to a broader audience. Tim left the rancheria to attended San Diego University and received a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism; and a Masters Degree from UCLA in American Indian Studies and Film during which he produced, directed, wrote and starred in his first short film, Rancheria. In 1997 Tim established Against The Wind Productions and began directing PSA commercials for Indian Health organizations and cultural preservation documentaries for California Indian tribes, including an Eastern Pomo Language interactive CD-ROM and video for his own tribe. In the past, Tim produced the ROLLING REZ TOUR mini-documentary for the feature film SKINS, and was an Associate Producer on A Seat at The Drum, a documentary that aired nationally on PBS about the flight of Native American Indians from the reservation to urban cities. More recently, Tim makes his directorial debut in CALIFORNIA INDIAN, producing with Chris Eyre (SMOKE SIGNALS) and acting alongside contemporary Native American actors Gil Birmingham (TWILIGHT), Gary Farmer (SMOKE SIGNALS, ADAPTATION), and Julia Jones (ECLIPSE), in addition to Mark Boone Jr. (BATMAN BEGINS, MEMENTO). In this slice-of-life drama featuring a star-studded cast as well as real members from Tim’s own Pomo tribe, the film depicts a day-in-the-life of a modern Indian tribe dealing with current issues of tribal sovereignty, language preservation, urban indians, and the modernization of a culture based on the business of Indian gaming. CHRIS EYRE Producer imdb Chris Eyre is an award-winning director and producer of film and television. Chris Eyre’s directing career has crossed film and video and all formats from documentaries to commercials; feature-films to docu- dramas; and episodic-television to movies for TV. Most recently, Chris directed A YEAR IN MOORING (2011) with Josh Lucas and James Cromwell, and has directed episodes of two prime-time NBC shows, LAW AND ORDER-SVU(2009); and the critically-acclaimed hit show FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS(2009)(2011). In 2008, Mr. Eyre directed WE SHALL REMAIN, a five-part PBS mini-series on the history of Native Americans. WE SHALL REMAIN went on to become the highest-rated Native American series-ever on television and won numerous awards. Chris Eyre began his directing career by making the independent film SMOKE SIGNALS (1998) - Miramax Films, starring Adam Beach, Irene Bedard and Gary Farmer. SMOKE SIGNALS, about two young men that travel to Phoenix, Arizona to retrieve the cremated remains of one of the young men’s father became a Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and Filmakers’ Trophy Winner. SMOKE SIGNALS won numerous awards worldwide and a screening at the White House. SMOKE SIGNALS made Eyre a unique figure by becoming the first Native American filmmaker to ever make a movie to receive a national-theatrical release – “In theaters everywhere!!” Chris continues to produce and direct Native American themed films including THE DOE BOY which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and starred Gil Birmingham, SKINS, starring Graham Greene, Eric Schwieg and Gary Farmer; SKINWALKERS (TV movie), starring Wes Studi , Adam Beach and Executive Produced by Robert Redford; EDGE OF AMERICA, starring Wes Studi, Adam Beach and Peter Fonda; and A THIEF OF TIME, executive produced by Robert Redford, based on the novel by Tony Hillerman; A THOUSAND ROADS produced exclusively for the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC, IMPRINT, AFTER THE MAYFLOWER, TECUMSEH’S VISION, THE TRAIL OF TEARS, and most currently CALIFORNIA INDIAN starring Gil Birmingham, Julia Jones, and Gary Farmer.