A sweeping new series slated to air on PBS promises to delve into a poignant chapter of American history: the Cherokee Trail of Tears. The series, a dramatic documentary, seeks to bring to life the complexities and human cost of this forced removal, offering viewers a glimpse into a pivotal moment that continues to resonate today. The article "Film crew documents drama of Cherokee tears" covers the on-location filming of this momentous series.
The scene unfolds within the dimly lit confines of a smoky room. A figure, Major Ridge, portrayed by acclaimed actor Wes Studi, strides purposefully toward a table surrounded by men. The air is thick with unspoken tension. Ridge, a prominent Cherokee leader, surveys the papers laid out before him – the treaty that would irrevocably alter the destiny of his people, compelling them to abandon their ancestral homeland in New Echota, Georgia, and embark on the arduous journey westward, toward the territory that would become Oklahoma, along the infamous Trail of Tears.
Ridge, a controversial figure destined to be branded a traitor by many within his own nation, steps forward to sign. As he completes the act, a profound statement escapes his lips in his native Cherokee tongue: "I have just signed my own death warrant."
Suddenly, the illusion shatters. "Cut!" calls out director Chris Eyre, breaking the spell. The scene, meticulously crafted and emotionally charged, is momentarily suspended. The controlled chaos of a film set erupts. A crew of approximately 100 individuals springs into action, attending to the myriad details that bring a production of this scale to life. Lights are adjusted, sweat is dabbed from the actors’ faces, and microphones are meticulously repositioned, all in preparation for the next take. The filming of "Film crew documents drama of Cherokee tears" is an intense, collaborative effort.
The project in question is "We Shall Remain," an ambitious five-part documentary drama destined for PBS’s prestigious "American Experience" series. The production team has descended upon various historically significant locations in the Southeast, including the Chief Vann House Historic Site in Chatsworth, Georgia; the New Echota Historic Site near Calhoun, Georgia; and Red Clay State Historic Park in Cleveland, Tennessee. These sites, steeped in Cherokee history, serve as authentic backdrops for the reenactment of this pivotal period.
The segments filmed at these locations will form a crucial part of the third episode of "We Shall Remain," entitled "The Nation." This episode will focus specifically on the Cherokee experience, chronicling the tragic events that unfolded as federal troops forcibly evicted them from their homes, initiating the harrowing Trail of Tears. It is estimated that approximately 4,000 Cherokee people perished during this devastating forced march, which began in Chattanooga and wound its way westward.
"We Shall Remain" is envisioned as more than just a historical retelling. According to PBS spokespersons, the series is intended to be a "provocative multi-media production that establishes Native American history as an essential part of U.S. history." The scope of the series is vast, spanning 400 years of Native American history, culminating in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. The entire series, including this impactful "Film crew documents drama of Cherokee tears" segment, is anticipated to air nationwide on PBS in 2009.
Following a break in filming, Wes Studi, the Cherokee actor embodying the complex character of Major Ridge, emerges from the confines of the sweltering room in the Chief Vann House. Studi, renowned for his portrayal of Magua in the 1992 film "The Last of the Mohicans," reveals that this role marks the first time he has portrayed a Cherokee character in a commercially produced film.
"It’s important to me. It’s a story about our people," Studi explains, his voice filled with a deep sense of connection and responsibility. He emphasizes that this particular narrative will offer a unique perspective on the events surrounding the Trail of Tears, one that has often been overlooked in mainstream portrayals. "Most of the stories told about this time in the Cherokee nation have been slanted toward the John Ross faction. This story is told from the viewpoint of the Ridge treaty party."
The filmmakers and Studi are committed to presenting a nuanced and historically accurate depiction of the Cherokee people, challenging stereotypical portrayals that have often dominated Hollywood’s representations of Native Americans. They aim to showcase the Cherokee nation as a thriving and sophisticated society, characterized by its own internal political dynamics and complexities.
New Echota, the Cherokee capital that emerged after the tribe was pushed south of the Tennessee River, serves as a prime example of the Cherokee’s advancements. It was a planned town boasting frame homes, productive farms, a courthouse, and even a post office. Director Eyre describes a scene in which Major Ridge surveys his plantation, observing the construction of a fence by his enslaved laborers.
"They are as wealthy as any people in the East for that time. They had plantations, slaves, mansions," Eyre notes. "I’ve never seen that image (on film) before, and I think those are the kinds of things that make people say, ‘Wow.’" This depiction aims to challenge preconceived notions and provide a more complete understanding of the Cherokee people and their way of life prior to the forced removal.
The film will also delve into the political and legal battles that preceded the Trail of Tears. When the state of Georgia began enacting laws in the 1830s aimed at displacing the Cherokee, Principal Chief John Ross spearheaded a legal challenge, taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and ultimately winning. However, President Andrew Jackson, defying the court’s ruling, ordered the forced removal of all Native Americans from the southeastern United States to the Indian Territory.
Major Ridge, a man born on Hiwassee Island north of Sale Creek, had served alongside Andrew Jackson in the Revolutionary War, fighting valiantly at Horseshoe Bend. He played a key role in drafting a Cherokee constitution and enacting a law that stipulated that no Cherokee land could be ceded without the consent of the majority of the nation.
However, faced with the seemingly inevitable loss of their ancestral lands, Ridge and a small group of other Cherokee leaders made the controversial decision to sign the treaty without a formal vote. In exchange for their homeland, they secured land in the Indian Territory, hoping to ensure the survival of their people.
"Any story has many sides," Studi reflects. "I think he was a progressive man. Up until this point in time, I just didn’t want to think about that side of the story. I had just gone along with the fact that the Ridge party were traitors to the Cherokee people. On the other hand, how were the people going to survive as a people?"
Studi describes Ridge’s dilemma as "a rock-and-a-hard-place kind of situation." He adds, "I think Ridge was a thoughtful, progressive individual. The trading of lands was better than just losing lands and being cut adrift in the world without any homeland at all. Now I can see the wisdom of his thoughts. And he died for them."
Following the removal of the Cherokee, several of the treaty signers, including Major Ridge, his son, and his nephew, were assassinated by Cherokee assassins, according to historical accounts. This act of retribution underscores the deep divisions and lasting trauma caused by the treaty and the Trail of Tears.
Jennifer Pearce, the film’s Atlanta-based producer, embraces the organized chaos inherent in filmmaking. "I always say strive for plan A, but if plan A doesn’t work out, embrace plan B," she says. "You can see how many bodies it takes, but they’re all needed. Everyone is bringing their expertise is making something great, you hope."
Amidst the bustling activity of the set, cultural advisor Myrtle Driver, of North Carolina, and Cherokee linguist Harry Oosahwee, of Oklahoma, diligently monitor the production, ensuring accuracy and authenticity.
British actor Freddy Douglas, who portrays a young John Ross, encounters difficulty with the American pronunciation of "legislature" in one scene, prompting a call for assistance from Oosahwee. In another instance, Studi, despite his fluency in Cherokee, seeks the linguist’s help with a particularly nuanced translation of Cherokee lines.
Driver plays a crucial role in ensuring the authenticity of the stage settings and costuming. When the filmmakers seek a suitable gift for Major Ridge’s wife to give her son as he departs for college, Driver suggests a metal cup, a common item during that period but surprisingly difficult to source.
At a bellowed command from an assistant director, an eerie silence descends upon the set. "Rolling!" the assistant yells, and filming resumes. The dedication and collaborative spirit of the cast and crew are evident, as they strive to bring this important and often painful chapter of American history to life on screen. The filming of "Film crew documents drama of Cherokee tears" is more than just a job; it is a mission.