ICT Interview: Chris Eyre thought Tonto debate was pointless

How do you see the debate on The Lone Ranger, and the issue about Native American actors not being hired for Native roles?

As a Native making movies on Native themes, my opinion is that there are three types of films including Native Americans: The first one is a bad representation of Natives in the movies, and the second is related to a new generation describing their own experience making movies, including my 14-year-old daughter. And the last one, like The Lone Ranger, is a pure invention of the Indian for the masses, without specific history, having nothing to do with Natives, other then dressing someone as people expect an Indian to be -- a pan-Indian composite. So I am not offended -- it's humorous, comical. Where is the reality of Natives? I see nothing there as a reflection of our reality. It's a total farce, you can see that from the beginning. It could be dangerous if people believe that Natives are like that, but then again, it was not written by a Native -- it is pure entertainment.

And I laughed at it, as good entertainment. So this debate is a ridiculous use of our time. The Baby Veronica case is a more relevant discussion. Regarding Native actors -- if a Native actor had to play Tonto, it would be worse for him than for Johnny Depp, since this character never existed. And there is such a long history of actors playing Native roles, like Burt Reynolds -- this is nothing new, thus it does not seem much of a controversy to me. The invention of Indians will continue forever; the Lone Ranger is a fictitious story, just entertainment.