'Smoke Signals'/soundtrack CD; HUM 221 syllabus?

Note to self: Assign screenplay for "Smoke Signals" instead of "Here First" in next year's HUM 221 syllabus (which is past due for a reworking anyway). especially since we aren't really doing much with "Here First" anyway; focus the course more on the question how do Native American artists balance artistic expression, Native cultural identity and the need to make a buck with their art?

Turns out the soundtrack was as well received as the movie, and the movie won the Filmmakers Trophy and the Audience Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. Adds Evan Cater's All Music Guide review on the Answers.com website:

Like the film itself, which went on to be an unlikely box office success, the soundtrack provided a major market showcase for Native American talent. In addition to excerpts from B.C. Smith's original score, the CD features music from Native American artists Ulali, Jim Boyd, Jon Sirois, Andre Picara, Jr., Patrick Watt, and the Eaglebear Singers. Smith's score incorporates elements of traditional Native American music, placing it alongside Michael Nyman-esque orchestral compositions and snatches of contemporary rock.

And this:

All of this wide-ranging diversity does make for a somewhat disjointed listen, but it is undeniably well-suited to a movie about the struggle of the indigenous peoples to accept, embrace, and preserve their heritage in the face of the dominating influence of mainstream American culture

Here's a pretty perceptive customer review on the Amazon.com website on the movie:

Like the movie, the soundtrack seems to be a wonderfully original piece that mostly has moments of soulful beauty, grace and humor, with some purely dorky "you can tell this is my very first time doing this" moments. The electric guitar pieces didn't really fit in the movie - they seemed to be communicating the obvious in a way that was really detracting to the quality of the scenes, and they don't stand well on their own on the CD. But those songs are few and, as soundtracks go, this is really beautiful overall. The vocalists are original and really good, and make you want to find out more about them and their work. And if you loved the movie, you will probably really appreciate the CD. I highly recommend it.

"Perceptive," as aways, means I agree with it.