Tale of Northern Cheyenne history might become mov

[Okwes]

Tale of Northern Cheyenne history might become movie
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/11/13/news/features/932fea\
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<http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/11/13/news/features/932fe\
atures.txt> By September, Dana Kizzier hopes to see "Wolves of
Heaven" come to life. This original log cabin, known as the McClure
homestead, will be used as Little Wolf's cabin in the planned
production of "Wolves of Heaven." (Steve McEnroe/Journal staff)
The epic story of 100 years of Lakota and Northern Cheyenne history is
currently in black and white: a screenplay written by Kizzier and Lakota
writer/producer George Amiotte.

But with production ramping up and a budget in the works, those words
are quickly becoming a reality, or at least a movie reality, Kizzier
said.

The story "Wolves of Heaven" was first conceived by Amiotte, who
told Kizzier about his idea for a movie years ago. The thought of
writing about the early history of the Northern Cheyenne and the early
years of reservation life stuck with Kizzier. "I had always wanted
to write the Northern Cheyenne story," she said. "I thought it
was such a mythic tale."

About a year ago, the pair decided to turn that bud of an idea into a
screenplay with hopes of turning it into a movie.

Kizzier's own production company, Iron Creek Productions, joined
forces with Aberdeen production company Hayze Entertainment Group and
Sioux Falls attorney Rollyn Samp to co-produce "Wolves of
Heaven." And suddenly, things began to come together.

Buddie Hasty of Hayze Entertainment will not only serve as a producer
but also will portray Buffalo Bill in "Wolves of Heaven."

Hasty expects the film to have a budget of about $13 million. The entire
film will be shot in South Dakota and much of the talent, mainly
American Indian actors, will be hired locally.

Locations include the 777 Ranch, the Wild Horse Sanctuary and the
Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Local film expert Jim Hatzell helped scout location sites and will be
"in the trenches" throughout the making of the film, Kizzier
said. Hatzell has worked as an actor, historical consultant, set
designer and more on various films, including "Hidalgo" and
"Dances with Wolves."

Hatzell hopes this project demonstrates once again what he has long
known � that South Dakota is a breathtaking backdrop for film.
"We are under-utilized," he said.

Although Kizzier is thrilled with the progress her movie is making,
she's most proud that the story itself has remained true to the
reality of its Indian characters. She and Amiotte strove to tell the
tale, through the eyes of main character Adrian Oliver Walking Star,
with respect to the culture and history of the Cheyenne and Lakota.

"Authenticity is really the thing that is driving this whole
thing," Kizzier said. "We don't have a big budget star. The
big star of this is the culture."

With endorsements from such people as Gene Thin Elk, Indian cultural
adviser at the University of South Dakota, and the United Sioux Tribes
of South Dakota, Kizzier feels confident that the duo has done justice
to the topic.

While "Wolves of Heaven" producers continue their work hiring
the needed crew, they await word of a director. Kizzier has her hopes
set on Edward Zwick ("Legends of the Fall" and "The Last
Samurai"), who currently has the screenplay. If he doesn't agree
to direct, Kizzier has others in mind. Until then, the producers and
crew keep their eye on the prize and look to begin pre-production as
early as July.

"If some director falls in love with this, we'll be working full
blast all summer long," Hatzell said.

For information

To find out more about "Wolves of Heaven," contact:

- Buddie Hasty at Hayze Entertainment Group at 225-2833

- Dana Kizzier at [e-mail]

- Jim Hatzell at fiddlersgreen [e-mail]