Swing High (1932)/ Sacheen: Breaking the Silence (2019)

One of the many short films narrated by Pete Smith, Swing High features stunts performed by a family of trapeze artists, The Flying Codonas. Many of the acrobatics are shot either from above or in slow motion which gives a close view to the action and maneuvers that the troupe goes through. The result is a lot more thrilling than the typical short I’ve seen from this era.

At the 1973 Oscars, which were being aired while the Wounded Knee Occupation was occurring, Marlon Brando appointed Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather to decline his Best Actor award in protest of Native American portrayal in films and treatment throughout the country. I had only been vaguely aware of the event before, but this documentary offers Sacheen a chance to give her take on the experience in her own words. It’s particularly interesting that not long after I watched the film, it became public that the Academy had issued an apology to Sacheen for what she endured because of her speech.

Oscar Nomination: Best Short Subject, Novelty (Swing High)