Was The Movie Wind River Based On A True Story
If you’re a fan of crime thrillers, you’ve probably heard of the movie Wind River. This 2017 film stars Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as two characters who team up to solve the murder of a young Native American woman on a reservation in Wyoming. But what about the story itself? Is it based on true events?
The Plot of Wind River
Before we delve into the question of whether Wind River is based on a true story, let’s take a closer look at the plot of the movie.
Jeremy Renner’s character, Cory Lambert, is a tracker for the Fish and Wildlife Service. He discovers the body of a young woman, Natalie Hanson, while on a job in the Wind River Indian Reservation. The FBI sends a young agent, Jane Banner (played by Elizabeth Olsen), to investigate the murder. She teams up with Lambert to solve the case, and they soon discover that the circumstances surrounding Hanson’s death are more complicated than they initially thought.
The movie deals with themes of grief, trauma, and the ongoing struggle of Native American communities in the United States. It also features stunning cinematography of the Wyoming landscape.
Is Wind River Based on a True Story?
So, is Wind River based on a true story? The short answer is no. The movie is a work of fiction.
However, writer and director Taylor Sheridan has said that he was inspired by true events when he wrote the script. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that he had read about the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States and Canada, and he wanted to bring attention to this important issue.
“I felt that I had to write about it,” Sheridan said. “And the more research I did, the more I realized that no one was talking about it. No one was covering it. And I felt like I had a responsibility to cover it.”
Sheridan also spent time on the Wind River Indian Reservation while writing the script, and he consulted with Native American leaders and experts to ensure that the story was respectful and accurate.
The Issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
While Wind River may not be based on a true story, the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is a very real problem in the United States and Canada.
According to a report from the Urban Indian Health Institute, there were 5,712 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in 2016, but only 116 of those cases were logged in a Department of Justice database. Native American women are also more likely to experience violence than women of other races and ethnicities.
The issue has gained more attention in recent years, thanks in part to advocacy efforts by Indigenous women and their allies. In 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would create a task force to investigate the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Conclusion
While Wind River may not be based on a true story, it is a powerful movie that draws attention to an important issue. The film deals with complex themes and features strong performances from its cast. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers, it’s definitely worth a watch.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that missing and murdered Indigenous women is a very real problem in the United States and Canada. We must continue to work towards justice and equity for these women and their communities.