Although fictional, “Escape” is an authentic story that filmmakers’ hope can help change the negative stereotypes of Native youths on and off the reservation.

At its premiere Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, award-winning filmmaker Alex Munoz, founder and creative director of Films by Youth Inside, explained that the 23-minute narrative film was written, directed, produced and performed by Ute Mountain Ute teenagers.

“The students wanted the audience to be impacted,” said Munoz.

Based on responses from some in the standing-room only crowd, “Escape” did just that.

“This movie shows that our children have a mind,” one tribal elder told the audience after the screening.

“This was very touching,” a woman added with tears in her eyes. “People live this life.”

“Escape” centers on the lives of two main characters, Rachel, a bullied teen played by 14-year-old Kamea Clark, and Adam, a teen struggling with his sexual orientation, portrayed by 17-year-old Wendell Mills, Jr. The duo form a suicide pact to escape their perceived hopelessness.

“I’m empty, and I don’t know what to do anymore,” Rachel says.

“I just want to die and fly away,” responds Adam.

After the screening, Clark said it was a difficult role, and the suicide scene was intense, but she gained a greater appreciation for the social anxieties that many of her peers endure.

“We should be grateful for the things we have,” Clark said.

For her, the most powerful scene in the film was losing her best friend, Adam, Clark said, adding that she would be devastated to lose her real-life best friend to suicide.

“I wouldn’t know what to do,” said Clark.

Wendell, slightly more reserved about discussing the experience, nearly backed out of the role during the third day of shooting, but, according to Munoz, he returned to the set to deliver a “courageous” performance.

“It was cool to see the movie on the big screen,” Wendell said.

The film also addressed other social ills associated with poverty on tribal reservations, including substance abuse, absent parents, hunger and domestic violence.

Among the some 18 tribal youths who played a role in the film – which included screenwriting, audio, lighting, costume and set design, camera operation and directing – teens said the nine-day whirlwind production over the summer offered new friendships, valuable life skills such as teamwork and individual responsibility and the capacity to accept and help others.

“I’m proud,” one teen said.

“It was an awesome experience,” another added.

Almost all the tribal youths involved with the film indicated they would like the opportunity to pursue a filmmaking career. They also hoped the film would serve as a catalyst to help transform the negative stereotypes of Native teenagers on and off the reservations.

“It moved me,” said Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart. “This is going to open people’s eyes as well as their hearts and minds.”

According to Munoz, “Escape” has already received two invitations to Native film festivals, and he predicted other film festivals would come calling.

“Don’t underestimate what you’ve accomplished here,” Munoz told the filmmakers on Sunday.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Center for Rural Outreach & Public Services helped fund the project, a five-year project.

“We’ll be back next summer to do it again,” said Munoz.

“Escape” also screens at the Gaslight Theater in Durango at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

tbaker@the-journal.com