Red Fever

Red Fever is a witty and entertaining documentary about the profound Indigenous influences on Western culture and identity from sports, fashion, politics, and the environmental movement of today.

Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond has encountered many people in various countries who are completely fascinated with Native people. The deluge of questions and reactions he receives about the Native experience prompts him to wonder "Why do they love us so much?" Red Fever follows Diamond on a journey to the four corners of North American and to Europe to find out why the world is so fascinated with the stereotypical imagery of Native people that is all over pop culture.

In the realm of fashion, there has been widespread appropriation of Native garb into what is considered "western" or "Americana", while indigenous designers are only now starting to get their due. In Sports Native mascots are widespread, but few understand that their use is derived from the Carlisle Indians football team, who, along with star athlete Jim Thorpe, popularized sports as mass entertainment, and evolved the game of football with cunning innovations. In Politics, though Western culture considers modern democracy's origins to be in Greece, the film highlights the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as the oldest continuous democracy in the world, far surpassing modern Western democracies' capacity for gender rights and citizen well-being, and key to inspiring American revolutionaries. Red Fever concludes by considering land stewardship and the Native traditions that offer a path forward towards living responsibility on the planet.

Why have Indigenous cultures been revered, romanticized, and appropriated for so long, and to this day? Red Fever highlights the tragic ironies of this ubiquitous and rampant appropriation while Native peoples were forced to assimilate, and uncovers the fascinating truths and history so entrenched in the global cultural imaginary.

FILMMAKERS' STATEMENT: "Reel Injun helped light a spark among Indigenous artists and activists to create their own tories in books and films and correct the existing representations of their people and culture. Red Fever is a meager attempt to do the same, and answer many of the questions that Reel Injun generated. But yet again, we found our subject so rich, we could only show the tip of the iceberg. The story of the Americas is only now being told by the people who are qualified to tell that very story. Not only in film, but in novels, essays, articles, lectures, protests, social media, and in any other form of communication that our storytellings can master.

The stories in Red Fever will surprise and shock, and many will no doubt balk at some of the claims in the film. There are sure to be heated discussions, arguments, criticisms, and dismissals of what we know is the true story of Native America. Red Fever will be deemed provocative but will also generate much needed discussion and debate."

— Neil Diamond

"The obsession about Indigenous people is global. In every corner of the earth, people all hold the same images in their head. North American identity and culture has been profoundly and deeply influenced by Indigenous cultures forgotten influences and forgotten stories. In Red Fever, we are going to tell you a few of them. Like the origin story of the Indigenous-themed sports logos and how they came to permeate North American culture, the story of Indigenous design and its profound influence on American fashion, and a story about the origins of democracy itself. All these stories were buried when Indigenous Nations lost their power and authority — when the genocidal western expansion began. They had to be. You can't murder people you admire.

So, Neil and I welcome you to a new look at our history and in Neil's witty, teasing, understated Cree way that he tells these stories. We hope you come to appreciate Indigenous cultures with a new understanding and can abandon the buckskin mini dress and braided wig in your mind for images so much more inspiring, rich, and real."

— Catherine Bainbridge

Preview link available upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information

A Film by Neil Diamond and Catherine Bainbridge

104 minutes

Scene Selection • Closed Captioned

Grades 7 - Adult

Item #: RED-2068

Explores the Indigeous influence on Western culture

Starting at $99

Licensing Options

K-12 Classroom, Public Libraries: DVD - $99 K-12 DVD + Digital File - $149 Colleges & Institutions: DVD - $345 Colleges: DVD with Digital Site License - $495 K-12 School District pricing available. Please inquire at [email protected] Community Screenings: Please Complete 'Host a Screening' Form found on top menu bar

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Reviews and Festivals

"A profound film that highlights critical issues and celebrates Indigenous cultures."

— Rough Draft

"This film achieves its aim of honoring contributions that have been forgotten or buried by time. With both empathy and insight, it navigates complex histories and their modern reverberations through a spirit of respect, care, and hope for understanding between all peoples. Diamond and Bainbridge have crafted a thoughtful, engaging documentary that enlightens as much as it entertains.'
— JNews

"Diamond and Bainbridge have made a tremendous documentary that is so fascinating in its breadth of subject matter and ease these stories are told. The film is an exciting addition to the documentary genre that is both fun and informative."

— Contra Zoom Pod

"One of the best kept secrets of Hot Docs 2024. The breadth of Indigenous storytelling embedded within the documentary makes this film a must see!"

— Thirty Four Flavours

"A compelling exploration of Indigenous influence... Neil Diamond's journey reveals a crucial narrative: the rich and multifaceted contributions of Indigenous cultures to Western society remain underappreciated and often obscured... His work invites us to deepen our understanding and respect for the enduring impact of Indigenous cultures."

— Caitie Talty, In the Seats

"With both empathy and insight, it navigates complex histories and their modern reverberations through a spirit of respect, care, and hope for understanding between all peoples... Diamond and Bainbridge have crafted a thoughtful, engaging documentary that enlightens as much as it entertains."

— Shahrbanoo Golmohamadi, Gazettely

"As an expression of Indigenous pride, Red Fever radiates a feel-good vibe that seeks to inform rather than scold or shame."

— ScreenDaily

"Red Fever offers a funny, intriguing and provocative look into the enduring fascination with all things 'native'."

— The Tyee

"A punchy new documentary that takes a look at cultural appropriation of indigenous art, religion, customs, and their bodies and faces within the mainstream of art, fashion, sports, entertainment, and even democracy. Using fast-moving historical footage, photos, and music, it brings us back to the largely unrecognized origins of many aspects of our daily lives."

— Daniel Garber, CulturalMining, CIUT 89.5 FM

WINNER

HotDocs, Top 20 Audience Favorite

DOXA, Nigel Moore Award

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Fort Lauderdale Film Festival

Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival

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