Native Film maker searches out Pledges to Create his Feature Length Movie on humans & Mother Earth!

His film roles include principle roles as an actor: 1987 in RAISING ARIZONA, 1994 as Sgt. Begaye in BLACK DAY, BLUE NIGHT, 1999 as "Ptv Henry“ in THE THIN RED LINE” which was filmed in Australia, and in 2003 he was “Bear” in “THE DOE BOY.” He has been a cultural consultant for Hollywood productions and projects.

Norman’s passion is creating films for his Navajo people in their own language.
In 1989, he wrote, directed and produced, AWAKENING. The first Navajo language film written and directed by a Navajo for Navajos, in conjunction with the docu-drama, The BEAUTY WAY OF LIFE. AWAKENING first premiered in San Francisco, California’s American Indian Film Festival and the Sundance Festival in Park City, Utah in 1990.

His second critically acclaimed Navajo language film is called HORSE SONG, which had its world premiere at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. He also wrote, directed, and produced REZ HOPE, in 2005, about today’s Navajo high school students dealing with issues concerning self-identity, drug and alcohol abuse, student violence and teenage pregnancy.

In 2006 and 2007, Norman ventured into documentary filmmaking. He co-produced a documentary called POWER PATHS that examines the use of the Sun and Wind as clean renewable energy in Indian country. POWER PATHS was seen on P.B.S. INDEPENDENT LENS in 2009. He also co-produced POISON WIND, a documentary about proposed uranium mining on Havasupai, Laguna, and Navajo lands. The documentary examined health and social impacts of past uranium mining through the eyes and stories of former uranium miners.

THE RAINBOW BOY is Norman’s first feature length film. Almost entirely shot in the Navajo language with english subtitles. it combines the ancient Navajo story telling process with the modern film industry formula, producing a unique film that is both Navajo specific and universal to all people.

Personal Statement:

I was blessed by Navajo parents to learn, understand, and to promote Navajo values, culture and language in all my life’s goals. My dedication, knowledge and motivation come from my Navajo elders who instilled in me a sense of pride and urgency to fight, advocate and continue my life as a warrior for my land and people, to share, cherish and promote Navajo values and culture for the next generations of Navajos.