The Exiles

The Exiles chronicles one night in the lives of young Native American men and women living in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles. Based entirely on interviews with the participants and their friends, the film follows a group of exiles – transplants from Southwest reservations – as they flirt, drink, party, fight and dance. With its vivid, high-contrast black and white photography and creative soundtrack, Kent Mackenzie’s gritty depiction of this marginalized Los Angeles community draws comparisons to John Cassavetes, Charles Burnett and Vittorio de Sica.

• Four shorts directed by Kent Mackenzie including Bunker Hill (1956), A Skill for Molina (1964) The Story of a Rodeo Cowboy (1962) and Ivan and His Father (1970).
• Commentary featuring Sherman Alexie and Sean Axmaker.
• 2008 theatrical trailer.
• Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003 — extracts from Thom Anderson’s film.
• Opening night panel discussion at UCLA (audio).
• Last Days of Angels Flight (1969) — short film by Robert Kirste.
• Bunker Hill: A Tale of Urban Renewal (2009) — short film by Greg Kimble.
• White Fawn’s Devotion (1910) thought to be the first film directed by a Native American.
• Charles Burnett and Sherman Alexie on the Leonard Lopate Show (audio).
• Sherman Alexie interviewed by Sean Axmaker (audio).
• Stills gallery.
• Downloadable PGF files of Kent Mackenzie scripts and film notes.