Native Representation and Acting | Amber Midthunder Interview for PREY (2022)

[@patrickisanavajo]

Love how you had insightful Indigenous questions! I watched other interviews and they were filled with the generic questions actors usually get.

[@nativemediatheory]

Thanks bro! Means a lot!

[@honorlife]

The question I want to know is when will we get to see it all on natives react 😁🙌🏽😂 can’t wait

[@ИванЧернявский-и8ф]

@@nativemediatheory prey-this stupidly bribed tolerance feminist gender children girls propaganda machine "power" usa

[@abluesapphire1493]

As a teen indigenous girl, I really needed to hear some encouregment, so thank you both so much for this! I love my culture, and really want to be able to share stories one day. I've thought of making videos, publishing books, and acting. Being stuck in a rez limits my options though, but I hope I can act in a movie like these guys one day!

[@alexhook9151]

I normally hate watching interviews cause they're always so awkward. But I really love your interviewing style. Keep it up 💛

[@nativemediatheory]

Thanks, I personally felt it could’ve been better, but honestly I’ve never done an interview like this before. But still, thanks for the support.

[@delfingarcia8590]

perfect casting, perfect choice of as the leading actress of prey. She has the brave, innocent, blended look!

[@horrorfan13666]

Great interview. As a lifelong Predator fan, I’m so happy and proud that these much-needed conversations around representation are happening within this fandom. I really feel this movie has the potential to be a game-changer within sci-fi.

[@davidlopez-white3185]

Love this! Keep pushing for better, and more representation of Native and Indigenous peoples.

[@ridney5887]

Oh my god, you got Amber Midthunder! I'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS

[@jasonraschen1109]

Just watched this film for the first time last night. Loved it. Amber was great. You did a great job with the interview. Thank you for posting this video.

[@RammyDaBaddest]

Tears of joy!!! Native American pride!!! Big fan of predator franchise this movie was a fever dream

[@maggiejreviews]

This woman is a gem! Loved this interview, her energy is awesome

[@qaat2012]

I can't wait to see Prey. So awesome that you got to interview her! Your first video about it really got me excited about it. Thank you for your awesome videos.

[@JuanGarcia-ij6ml]

Congrats. This is awesome!!

[@JDMaya]

AWESOME LOOK INTO AMAZING NATIVE AMERICANS. Amber Midthunder SO LOVELY AND ENCOURAGING.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT ACTING IN NARU.!!!!!

[@adamgarey9807]

Elias! How Welcoming you are! And Interviewer yes doing Great! I am old and yet who does not find Amber so Photogenic? And it can be intimidating her Beautiful Eyes are so expressive! and how she does use them well in ,"PREY!" so, 1 You do Interview gently and slowly and clearly ask the question and you kindly give others time to respond however they wish! And you don't interrupt them! That is a BIG DEAL! 2. You Validate their answer showing you appreciate and understand their answer! 3. You do not Rabbit Trail off...You stick to the script as not to disrespect your Guests time frame! You have a sense of humor yet I notice you recognize it's their time in the Spotlight and you show them respect! Very awesome stuff...and as you produced this I'll just mention Sound is great and the Look is nice also! You did not seem nervous jus careful. I'm Rooting for you! Thank You-Adam!

[@jodyvance1554]

I first noticed her on "Legion", which I loved. Seeing her in "Prey" showed me she could carry a film or series as well. Two very high quality additions to her growing resume. Plus an appearance on "Reservation Dogs"!

[@Colombiarican31]

Followed your channel. Amazing and seeing the native perspective is something I never gotten exposed to. Im hispanic from NY, and currently living in Albuquerque, I got to see a bit of it here and back home. I definitely understand how you feel about the representative, being a minority and hispanic, our community had that same perspective growing up. Im definitely happy about to see that the Indegeneous people are finally getting the representation. This movie is gonna be amazing. I cant wait to see it. I have my roku connected to my projector and its ready for this Friday.

[@BaiLong45]

Agreed. Watching this interview was different (in a good way) than the other ones that Amber has done. Hearing that Indigenous perspective was very insightful. Completely got Amber's desire to make sure that the film was accepted by the Comanche people as well as your perspective on Hispanic representation. As an Asian-American, I didn't see a lot of myself on the screen either growing up. When it was, it was either brief, one aspect, or stereotypical. Authentic representation, behind and in front of the camera, is something that we're all looking for. In any case, the movie was great and this interview was great. Keep it up!

[@SkyFoxCode]

Plus, she’s actually from Santa Fe! Our own out there. New Mexicans are very proud of her!

[@beamar76]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 love it love y’all and so happy to have seen this interview ❤

[@phenbuz]

So beautiful interview. So sweet Amber.

[@3IRDDY]

YAH AWESOME Interview!!

[@garyindiana2127]

Just watched Prey gotta say, it slapped!! Wish it was in theaters, instant classic. Great interview and the back and forth compliments had me a little misty eyed, Natives up😊

[@tylerbrown5526]

What a great interview!

[@White_Tiger2169]

She and Dakota were great in the movie. I see great movies in their future.

[@RammyDaBaddest]

I love this!!! Prey 2 please

[@carlosmelendez8317]

Dude...Prey is an AMAZING film! Cinematography great, action on point and seeing strong Native American female lead with her brother as well is the cherry topping! The best Prey-dator movie since the original. Why wasn't this movie in theaters?! It was pretty awesome and I'd buy the 4k bluray.

[@thomasxiong1377]

Great movie and great presentation!

[@Kwinicharhapiti9039]

Good to see you again brother. First: I'm so glad you got to interview Amber, that's so cool. I was on the edge of my seat during the interview. This is the beginning of a great journey for you brother. Taati jurihata meyumu! 🤜🏾🤛🏾

[@terrygunn6723]

very well spoken woman. and smart I would watch another interview

[@swfh3542]

Just watched the movie...her fight sequence are just 😍....one of the best after ARNOLD'S PREDATOR...😇🤩🥰

[@orlandoflores72]

I always will have respect and administration for our Native American. Beautiful people ❤️

[@Savanhbegay]

Awesome interview, Amber Midthunder🥰❤️

[@aarondaniele4141]

She done amazing in prey , great movie and great cast members

[@lw938]

I have to say Prey is one the best films I've ever seen. My friend Lawrence even watched it with me and he never watches TV or films but this film gripped him big time. The film kind of reminded me of the film apocalypto. Not a lot of dialogue but so much action. Sometimes less is more and words are not always needed.

[@O.B-01]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this on Friday. I'm so happy that the film is getting such great reviews. My wife, who is Ojibwe, has been really nervous about this film since I told her about it. She was worried that if it was nor recieved well that it would be the native community that would get the backlash for it.

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

Great job 👌 absolutely amazing. Didn't know how it would work but it worked. Awesome movie.

[@christyoxendine]

Great interview, thank you for sharing with us!

[@tingdzinkochu]

Gr8 interview. Subbed!

[@planet_aldrain224]

Just watched it and it’s crazy I’ve lived in a timeline where I’m seeing more of our fellow native people in movies and t.v shows and not your black and white “Indian stereotypical roles.” She did justice for one of the most recognized franchises in film history. Congrats to her and also to this channel.

[@tecpaocelotl]

She is great. I loved her in Legion.

[@a-train3503]

Ice Road is where I discovered Amber, she is blowing up now due to Prey, so happy for her, she's a great talent

[@esbolenlocos]

I love watching her movies she’s beautiful n exciteing 🔥🔥💯💯💯😍🥰

[@asound1234]

Awesome interview, man!

[@stoicnative1187]

Awesome!!! Congrats on the interview!

[@TheBurgundyRobot]

Love this interview. This felt so genuine and authentic. Learned more about the film and the things that went into the characters more than I have with other interviews, so thank you! Can’t wait to see more!

[@averagejoe413]

She's one of my all time fave actresses! Lovee her especially seeing her on latest episode of Reservation Dogs

[@stephenmcinerney9457]

Is Amber Midthunder the new Zoe Saldaña/ Schwarzenegger/ Sigourney Weaver/ Jennifer Lawrence? I'm curious to watch her career progress and the roles she picks/gets offered. Seems like one to watch closely.

[@PeterMJJacob]

She never said how the Comanche folks received the film. Would be interested to know their take.

[@antoniogomes2000]

Beautifull!! Passionate!! Princess!!

[@Ricart0713]

Can’t wait for Friday! When PREY Streams on Hulu !!!! Great Guests and Interviews my brother !!!! 👍 🎥 👍 🍿

[@antoniogomes2000]

PRINCESS!! BEAUTIFUL!!

[@carycody7480]

Great job brother!

[@nativemediatheory]

I appreciate it!

[@sliencethunder1499]

Great job Elias, I remember you always talking about entertainment theories back in KCHS school days like Lakota. Keep it up 👍

[@aboxofpaint]

Love 😊

[@bhenderson2725]

best "predator" movie hands down, I hope to see Amber Midthunder in more movies, wow, she is for real.

[@JorgeDiaz-vu1pe]

¡Me encantó tu papel principal en esta película:'Predators-Prey',posees un gran talento y un gran futuro,eres muy bella y super guapa Amber muchas gracias por tu actuación!👍😉

[@ValterVianaArtistaPlastico]

Essa moça arrebentou no filme! Ela é bravinha mesmo! Impressionante a atuação dela. Ela está de parabéns! Gostei muito também da fotografia do filme. odos estão de parabéns! Até o cachorro... heheh

[@nativemediatheory]

Gostava muito do cachorro! Obrigado para assistindo!

[@ValterVianaArtistaPlastico]

@@nativemediatheory POR NADA AMIGO! SIM, O COMO TAMBÉM FEZ UM BOM PAPEL! PARABÉNS PELO VIDEO!

[@nativemediatheory]

Obrigado mesmo cara! Vem de volta pra assistir mais.

[@ValterVianaArtistaPlastico]

@@nativemediatheory Pode deixar. Se a Amber fizer outro filme com o Dan eu volto. Gosto do Predador e faço o traje dele aqui no Brasil para quem me pede.

[@tonykono5225]

What was the name of her mom’s casting company?

[@nativemediatheory]

Midthunder Casting I believe

[@Pinkielover]

Movie of the year for me

[@vidalxp2012]

La mujer más hermosa del universo...the most beautiful woman of the universe. Haven't seen any girl remotely as pretty as her. Soy de México y puedo confirmar que me enamoré de ella. I've fallen in love with her. There's no girl ,model,actress or any girl as beautiful and perfect as she is. It's out of this world beautyness the way she smiles her eyes her hair her voice skin tone everything is just spectacular and gorgeous. I really have no words to even begin to tell just how amazingly beautiful she is. Heart ❤️💓 👑👑 💚 in love 😍💕

[@photographpictureportfolio8152]

What an interesting interview.

[@Lycandros]

So awesome!

[@nuwunative928]

#native #nativepride

[@nuwunative928]

#native #native🪶 #viral #news #indigenous #nativeamerican #nativepride #landback🪶

[@anthonyvalor8030]

She is the next Wes Studi !!

[@ADAM_NORMAN_AND_MELODY]

I am Navajo, from California.... My family lives in Window, Rock, behind The Window Rock Monument.... Hollywood filmed scenes on my family's land for Natural Born Killers back in the '90s... Anyhow, I go to Shiprock every summer for a month since 1987.... I must have ran into you guys around there during my shopping routes and stuff with my family.... Anyhow, I am trying to get funding into doing a big Hollywood movie, nowadays.... It needs about around 60 million into making it properly.... The script is done.... . The whole second act is set in and around Shiprock.... It is going to be a direct sequel to a popular movie from Summer 1995.... I cannot say what it is, yet.... I had already scouted a Disney visual effects artist who is known for the special effects for the 2003 movie Holes.... Scouting for main character and supporting character actors and actresses, and a whole lot of extras will start sometime after funded is completed....

[@jasonseacord]

THIS IS SO AWESOME

[@constantinomendoza1595]

AMBER, MUCHACHA BONITA, TE ADORO.

[@X-pw7vp]

Es la nativa americana más bella que vi hasta ahora 😍❤️

[@joelsonbernardo9157]

Love Naru ❤️

[@warhammertactical8963]

This is so sick, I was excited before but now that I’m know she is Sioux, I’m losing it.

[@marcusyazzie9668]

Keep going

[@purofantasia69]

♥︎

[@CrownQueen69]

Nice!

[@lothavenkataramanareddy9930]

Your..looking..so.. beautiful ❤️ voice..all..so..cute ❤️

[@amitavraja3385]

Wiki says she native American, however further search on Google reveals she's a mixture of Asian, American and Euro ancestry. Wish Wiki got it facts right.

[@nativemediatheory]

I trust her more than a Wiki

[@Daron7181]

That’s b.s. She’s Native dude. She even specifically says who her people are and where they’re from.

[@jasonseacord]

Maybe you could interview the two leads for The Black Phone next?

[@nativemediatheory]

I could try?

[@jasonseacord]

@@nativemediatheory its worth a shot

[@cristianl5031]

Amber is so gorgeous

[@a-1moves750]

The movie was amazing . It would have been nice to see the lead role played by a full blooded native but that’s America for you. They just gotta throw some European in the mix even if it’s a little bit . For those who don’t get it she’s mixed . Other then that the movie was awesome . Story line was awesome so was action and ending.

[@rhonafenwick5643]

Blood quantum is itself a colonialist atavism; it insults Amber Midthunder and undermines all indigenous peoples everywhere to imply that having a percentage of other biological ancestry makes a person somehow less "properly" indigenous. (Even many chiefs in the last two centuries have had some white ancestry. Wilma Mankiller's mother was white; so was Quanah Parker's.)

[@whereswaldo511]

Really, we got to take it there? 🙄

[@gracie5113]

Blood quantum is a colonial concept

[@HanifeÖztürk-u4p]

Bu kız David midthunder kızı değilmi kız kızılderiliden çok asyalı ( taylandlı ) annesine banziyor

[@mitozmartinez1173]

Whiteness & Indigeneity Regardless of how “Indigenous” this film appears to be & what it means for “representation”… It’s always the light skinned/white bodied relative as the main character and this must be acknowledged for many reasons. There’s also the romanticization of Indigenous people within storytelling, which engulfs a deeper problem, and all the hierarchal ideologies between our communities keep growing, we keep adopting western ways of being for “survival” when we really shouldn’t have to do that anymore. As a mixed Indigenous/Spanish person whose ambiguous/white bodied, I know where my positionality lies. I know the privileges I have over my darker relatives, and I’d hate this type of shit to continue. Having our darker relatives as “background characters” is dehumanizing and having their experiences erased is beyond unfortunate. We always uplift those with ambiguous/white features while our darker relations are still lesser, we still call it “representation” but is it really!?There should be more people talking on this. In many spaces it’s always the ambiguous/lighter/white Indigenous person whose seen voicing their truth 1st while our darker relatives stay behind the scenes or not seen at all. This happens all the time with relatives having federal tribal recognition: they hide behind their nations without even acknowledging their white skin privileges and always take up space over our darker relatives. In worlds/systems ruled by white supremacy, we fail to acknowledge these mistakes we make when we are talking about “representation.” How can we be better?

[@stephenmcinerney9457]

> It’s always the light skinned/white bodied relative as the main character Yalitza Aparicio in 'Roma' (2018)? (Yes I'm aware she's Mixtec not native American from the US). > There’s also the romanticization of Indigenous people within storytelling I thought Graham Greene (Kicking Bird) in 'Dances with Wolves' (1990) did a good job at taking a sledgehammer to that stereotype; setting aside all the obvious criticisms that can be made of 'Dances with Wolves' narrative focus. To what extent are the things you mention changing with non-US streaming shows and movies?

[@mitozmartinez1173]

@@stephenmcinerney9457 It’s no question that this kind of thing happens almost in every setting in our society and it dominates most spaces involving capitalistic production, we treat lighter skin/white bodies with a more approachable and opportunistic attitude. It’s something we’re all indoctrinated with doing and I think it’s also something we’re so use to it’s just subconscious, but there are those who are unlearning, healing, listening, and acknowledging layers of complexity and intersectionality and we’re doing our best to unlearn harmful ways of being/thinking (hence embracing decolonial ideologies). I am speaking from a humble perspective: being biracial and a non person of color, being a detribalized Indigenous and Spanish person who use to naively identify as Mexica just cuz my elders said so… I am learning to listen to our relatives/communities who are often unheard or silenced and I have especially heard and learned that “we must always embrace knowledge within limitless curiosities, never within absolutions.” So I’d encourage u to search and listen… see what I’m talking about beyond the surface level of things, when we think there’s something “good” or “bad”… it’s not always black and/or white like that… we must hold space for complexity and intersectionality.

[@mitozmartinez1173]

@@stephenmcinerney9457 We can’t tell our stories within a industry without sacrificing something to it and that’s morally unjust, yet we do it anyway; to “make it” and we take the money, we take the “recognition” for a pleasurable moment on the red carpet and call it “diversity/inclusion” which is a whole other harmful topic we typically ignore bc we’re so willing to “fit in” or “do it better than-“… I use to be involved, I use to want to be, I was a performative “artist” who wanted to be apart of the film industry and thought my story would be valuable and impactful to share, coming from poverty and a violent upbringing and being who I am… I could “make it” and “represent” like the others… but I couldn’t. I chose to respect who I am, support our communities, and listen. There are ethical and moral ways to express ur medicine stories while building bridges with communities instead of irresponsibly feeding our egos more poison and trapping ourselves within borders of individuality, enjoying the spotlight.

[@adamgarey9807]

Oh...Elias...You talk Normal or very personal not Loud and not Arrogant:) You also can connect their answer from 1 question to something else..you do not seem to let anything throw you...which means you ACTUALLY LISTEN and actually can Focus on what they are saying and what it means to you etc! Some Interviewers have a hard time connecting or get thrown with too much on their mind. Plus Plus Plus no Negatives Dude. Best!

[@bgatewood27]

So many opportunities to carry the conversion on and shine light on certain topics but was missed in the interview. Take where she was born and how she said Ya’at’eeh for example, that topic was quickly stepped over rather than having her talk about where she was born. Could of shined more light on the Navajo nation. But still, we’ll done getting her on your show. 👏🏽

[@nativemediatheory]

I know, I'll do better next time if I interview someone. The main issue was the time limit, and plus I've never done an interview like this and I was hella nervous.

[@bgatewood27]

@@nativemediatheory just some constructive criticism, keep at it, I always love seeing natives thrive. Well done sir. ✊🏾

[@TKL838]

Hmmm ...i like your eyes amber

[@gohard45]

Hella fine

[@MrJaybon]

Somehow you guys is asian look alikes aka from ''South east asia'' 😁

[@isaac.anthony]

Best "Predator" maybe even better than original? She's amazing.

[@delfingarcia8590]

she has exotic beauty, so intriguing aura!

[@Demystificator]

I feel the movie had a good idea to be set with Native Americans, showing they souldn't be forgotten with all the mediatic storms like Black Lives Matter and stuff. And yet it didn't feel "Woke" or forced. I feel it has been a long time Natives had such a good and respectful representation in cinema/movies.

[@elderberryjamz3654]

I didn’t know that social justice movements for other groups somehow causes NAs to be “forgotten”. Y’all always mention anything involving Black ppl first but not all the other movements led by marginalized groups. Really sad how we live in y’all minds rent free 😘

[@elderberryjamz3654]

@@Demystificator Whatever you wanna call it, anything led by one marginalized group isn’t a distraction from another marginalized group. But cute dog-whistle. Just say you don’t like Black people with your chest, loser.

[@delfingarcia8590]

she is an american indian descend?

[@a.v.1396]

Beautiful hot woman.

[@a.psquickview2071]

I thought this movie was great and refreshing to see a movie focusing on native American culture.

[@pdzombie1906]

Dear Hollywood: please give me more Amber Midthunder and less Rachel Zegler. Thanx!!!

[@thunderbear4254]

Shes also half Asian half Native.. Dakota Beavers is half Mexican half native. Sucks they couldnt find actual Comanches to play but still turned out great!

[@Jaime16921]

Mexicans and Natives are cousins boy chill out. Nej Comati Mayana

[@thunderbear4254]

@@Jaime16921 Not in the Penn they not on the same side 😌

[@fletcherhamilton3177]

The film was surprisingly . . . I’ll stop short of saying ‘good’, but it was surprisingly not so bad, particularly in terms of its cinematography, but it was still an SJW’s -wet- _saturated_ dream . . . Didn’t really help that the actress herself looked more like a 21stC ‘Tumblr princess’ who couldn’t put down her iPhone for more than two minutes if her life depended on it than any hard-edged would-be plains warrior but . . . 🤷‍♂️

[@HuskyFlatulence]

You sound like a miserable person lol. Prey was dope and Amber was perfectly cast.