Inspired in part by those snarky critics at Mystery Science Theatre, filmmaker Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals) and comedian Drew Lacapa have created "The Talking Couch" – a live performance in which they talk back to clips from Hollywood movies that depict American Indians. This amusing and enlightening program is one of many events scheduled for the second annual Native Cinema Showcase in Taos, New Mexico, from August 12-18.

According to Jason Silverman, artistic director of Taos Talking Pictures, the NCS is designed to bring additional attention to Native filmmakers and videomakers who are using the moving image in amazing ways. "The 2002 NCS includes films from five countries, highlighting the global nature of the indigenous filmmaking movement," he reports. "We have put together 15 programs of films, videos and presentations. Most of these programs repeat – there is a total of 40 events during the week. Many will have filmmakers in person to introduce the shows and answer questions."

Among movies to be screened are:

Redskin – the lost 1929 silent film ( with a print obtained from the Library of Congress). This screening will feature live musical accompaniment composed and performed by the band Native Braid.

Follow Me Home – featuring Benjamin Bratt in his first major role and introduced by his sister, Lakota Harden.

The Business of Fancydancing -- the first film directed by poet and novelist Sherman Alexie.

Rocks with Wings – an inspirational story about a Navajo girls basketball team.

War Code: Navajo – the story of the Navajo Code Talkers (an Emmy winner in 1996 and the subject of Windtalkers, a recent Hollywood movie starring Nicolas Cage). .

Tushka – a film about the battles between American Indian Movement activists and the U.S. government.

Norman Brown’s Horse Song – a narrative in Navajo.

Kusha Hakwaan – the first feature film in Tlingit.

In addition to the screenings, a panel discussion concerning Hollywood’s representation of Native Americans will be presented and broadcast nationally via the National Public Radio show "Native America Calling."

Also, authors Beverly Singer (Wiping the War Paint Off the Lens) and Gwen Cates (Indian Country) will be at the Showcase for a slideshow and booksigning.

The Native Cinema Showcase is a cooperative project between Taos Talking Pictures and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Silverman says, "We believe indigenous mediamaking, in its various forms, is one of the most important and exciting movements in cinema today."

For more information about the Native Cinema Showcase, go to the Taos Talking Pictures Web site at http://www.ttpix.org.