Lost Treasure: UnBowed [1999]

Credit - NikkNikk

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This is a perfect quote that describes how it felt to finally unravel a precious gem after spending years trying to find this hidden treasure. We are not talking about your notorious pirate treasure like: golden coins, pearls, rubies, or emeralds. Finding a classic motion picture can be similar to finding lost riches.

Unbowed is a historical romantic-drama and independent film, which takes place in the late 1890s after the Civil War at Beckwourth College. Cleola Banks (Tembi Locke) is a soaring strong-willed student, living a comfortable life, until three young captive Lakota warrior men arrive at Beckwourth. Among the three is Waka Mani (Jay Tavare) who is against assimilating into white men’s culture. The decision to enroll them into school brings forth other students racism towards Indians. Thorough out the storm, Cleola and Waka Mani come to understand, trust, and fall in love with each other.

I took interest in Unbowed after seeing a fan made video on YouTube, while searching up Jay Tavare. This happened long before; The Blasian Narrative even covered it on their blog. It is different from most historical dramas because the plot perspective is coming from an African American [Negro] - Native American [Indian] point of view. You do not see this type of interracial couple being depicted in films on a romantic level. Majority of times you’ll see WM-BW or NM-WW and vice versa. It also shows case racism happening in an unusual angle that the audience is not use to considering. Over all it is a beautiful film!