Twenty years removed from childhood fame as Little Viktor in 1998’s indie hit Smoke Signals, Cody Lightning (Cree) has been forced to move home to his reserve in northern Alberta. He still believes himself to be famous, even though the only parts he gets these days are dubious. When Cody learns his wife and kids are leaving him for a younger, more successful actor, he decides it’s time to quit messing around and make his masterpiece: writing, directing, and starring in Smoke Signals 2: Still Smoking. A documentary crew follows Cody on his journey to realize his vision by trying to reunite the original cast, steal Adam Beach’s wig, and borrow money from an arms dealer, only to recognize that his grand vision was complete nonsense. (Director: Cody Lightning (Cree); Canada, 2023, 102 min.)

For Mature Audiences: Contains nudity, alcohol use, and coarse language.

Director Cody Lightning, and Jacob Floyd (Muscogee (Creek)/Cherokee) and Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (Iñupiaq) in attendance for a post-screening Q&A.

Presented in collaboration with New York University’s Center for Media, Culture, and History. 

This screening is part of the museum's Native Cinema Showcase, a celebration of the best in Indigenous film from communities throughout the Western Hemisphere and Arctic.

This program is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.