In Choctaw, Mississippi, a seemingly small role in the film “Sinners” represents a monumental moment for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Starring Michael B. Jordan as a gangster turned vampire slayer, the horror blockbuster includes a crucial scene that respectfully highlights the tribe’s unique traditions and culture through Choctaw actors and experts. This was a groundbreaking moment for some tribe members who saw their culture depicted accurately on the big screen for the first time.
In the pivotal scene, a group of Choctaw people arrives at a farmhouse on horseback and in an old truck to warn a residing couple about impending danger. Despite the couple’s refusal of help, a Choctaw man bids them good luck in his native language before departing. Cynthia Massey, a cultural consultant for “Sinners,” expressed her excitement about the language being correctly spoken in the movie.
Massey, along with Sherrill Nickey and Jay Wesley, runs the tribe’s Chahta Immi Cultural Center and was instrumental in ensuring the film accurately portrayed the tribe. The team delved into historical records to recreate how their ancestors lived, spoke, and dressed during the 1930s, the time period in which “Sinners” is set.
Jay Wesley, who also plays a part in the movie, felt both honored and humbled to contribute to an authentic portrayal of the Choctaw people. He aided filmmakers by connecting them to Choctaw actors and cultural artifacts, including beaded sashes worn by Choctaw characters. These sashes are now showcased in a “Sinners” exhibit at the cultural center.
The film’s introduction also features a Choctaw war chant, performed by Wesley’s daughter, Jaeden Wesley, a University of California, Los Angeles student. Jaeden shared that the filmmakers desired for audiences to have a genuine experience of Choctaw music.
Proximity Media, the production company behind “Sinners,” focuses on elevating underrepresented cultures like the Choctaw. The company was founded by “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler, his wife Zinzi Coogler, and producer Sev Ohanian. The filmmakers committed to portraying the Mississippi Choctaw accurately and enlisted a team of experts to advise on the cultural nuances of the Mississippi Delta, the film’s setting.
The film’s culturally rich portrayal resulted in acclaim, leading Delta community organizers to invite Coogler and his team for a screening in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where the movie is set. This invitation exemplifies the film’s positive reception and its impact on viewers.
Ohanian hopes the film inspires other filmmakers to pursue authenticity and acknowledge the vibrant mosaic of cultures present in the United States. Historically, the film industry has misrepresented non-white groups, but “Sinners” serves as a testament to the power of genuine storytelling.
For Jay Wesley and his fellow consultants, the film signifies an opportunity to spark curiosity and awareness about Choctaw culture. They encourage audiences to visit the Chahta Immi Cultural Center and learn about the history that predates modern America.
Cynthia Massey highlighted the need to connect with the Choctaw culture, which primarily occupied lands in Mississippi before public settlement, while Sherrill Nickey expressed hopes for a cultural renaissance. She noted the importance of preserving the Choctaw language amidst a decline in native speakers.
Nickey sincerely wishes for the younger generation to recognize that speaking their native language is both acceptable and integral to their heritage, hoping the film’s impact will inspire and perpetuate cultural pride among the Choctaw people.