Mile Post 398
Directed byShonie De La Rosa
Andee De La Rosa
Written byShonie De La Rosa
Andee De La Rosa
Produced byShonie De La Rosa
Andee De La Rosa
StarringBeau Benally
Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III
Gerald Vandever
James Junes
Kim White
KJ White
Dwayne Lake
CinematographyShonie De La Rosa
Edited byShonie De La Rosa
Music byAaron White
Yaiva
Coalition
Ethnic De Generation
Distributed bySheephead Films
Release date
  • January 6, 2007 (2007-01-06)
[1]
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Navajo

Mile Post 398 is a 2007 independent drama film written, directed, and produced by Shonie and Andee De La Rosa,[2] it is also the first featured film in cinema history that was written, produced, directed, filmed and starred in by an all-Navajo team. [3]

It was filmed in Kayenta, Arizona, as well as surrounding locations, Black Mesa, Chinle, Many Farms and Tsegi. It was an official selection of the American Indian Film Festival and Monument Valley Film Festival.

Plot

Taking place on the Navajo Nation, Cloyd Begay (Beau Benally), has been a victim of alcohol abuse and domestic violence throughout his childhood as a result of his resorting to alcohol to repress his memories. As he is willing to take responsibility for his life and as husband and father, his drinking buddies Jimmy (Gerald Vandever) and Marty (James Junes) cultivate having Cloyd continue their carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying, preventing him to change. All the while, his wife Lorraine (Kim White) and son Michael (KJ White) begin to lose hope in him and seriously consider leaving him. As the ensuing events unfold, it leads him to make a life-changing choice.

Cast

ActorRole
Beau BenallyCloyd Begay
Gerald VandeverJimmy, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies
James JunesMarty, one of Cloyd's drinking buddies
Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie IIIRay Yazzie, Cloyd's friend
Kim WhiteLorraine Begay, Cloyd's wife
KJ WhiteMichael Begay, Cloyd's son
Dwayne LakeSteven, Cloyd's boss
Anthony "Horse" YellowhorseHorse, Bootlegger

Awards

YearAwardWinner/NomineeCategoryResult
2007American Indian Film FestivalErnest "Ernie" David Tsosie IIIBest Supporting ActorWon
Fargo Film FestivalShonie and Andee de la RosaNative American Voices/Best Narrative FeatureWon
Tulalip Film FestivalShonie and Andee de la RosaBest DramaWon
Best ScreenplayWon
2008Talking Stick Film FestivalBeau BenallyBest ActorWon

See also

  • G, a documentary on methamphetamine use on the Navajo Nation, by the same filmmakers
  • James & Ernie, a Navajo comedy duo

References

  1. ↑ "Mile Post 398 world premiere packs house in Kayenta".
  2. ↑ Rosa, Andee De La; Rosa, Shonie De La (2007-01-06), Mile Post 398 (Drama), retrieved 2023-02-01
  3. ↑ "Mile Post 398". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
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