Turquoise Rose

Turquoise Rose is a 2007 independent drama film co-written and directed by Holt Hamilton that takes place in the Navajo Nation. Turquoise Rose was filmed primarily in the Navajo Nation in Fort Defiance, Arizona, as well as in Phoenix, Arizona. The film is one of the only American films to feature an indigenous Native American lead role for an actress, played by Navajo actress Natasha Kaye Johnson.

Turquoise Rose
Directed by	Holt Hamilton
Produced by	Holt Hamilton Jake Johnson Julius C. Tulley
Starring	Natasha Kaye Johnson Deshava Apachee Ethel Begay Bria Sherinian Rhonda Ray Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III Vincent Craig
Cinematography	Holt Hamilton
Edited by	Derek Natzke
Music by	Casey Dooley Until August Stateline Guilty Wilson
Distributed by	Holt Hamilton Productions
Release date	July 29, 2007 (2007-07-29)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	English Navajo
Budget	$150,000

Synopsis

Turquoise "T" is in college in Phoenix and struggling at work as a photographer for a newspaper. She reluctantly agrees to stay with her grandmother on the Navajo reservation while she recovers from an illness. Over the summer she bonds deeply with her feisty and traditional grandmother in their rural homeland. Along the way she also gets to know the locals, including beginning a relationship with a handsome young artist named Harry, who has got personal issues of his own. Through many happy and sad memories, she gains a sense of purpose upon returning to the city and uses her skills in photography to make a change in her life, while honoring the experiences with her grandmother, with Harry by her side.

Cast

• Natasha Kaye Johnson as Turquoise "Rose" Roanhorse
• Deshava Apachee as Harry Bahe, Turquoise's love interest
• Ethel Begay as Masani, Turquoise's grandmother
• Rhonda Ray as Lillian Roanhorse, Turquoise's mother
• Bria Sherinian as Michelle, Turquoise's friend
• John Boomer as Sam Johnson
• Ernest "Ernie" David Tsosie III as Alvin Bahe
• Vincent Craig as Uncle Billy, Harry's uncle
• Katie Yazzie as Aunt Mary, Turquoise's aunt

Premiere

The film held its world premiere at Navajo History Museum & Visitor Center located at the Navajo Nation capital Window Rock, Arizona.

Accolades

Year	Award	Recipients	Category	Result
2007	American Indian Film Festival	Natasha Kaye Johnson	Best Actress	Nominated
		Deshava Apachee	Best Supporting Actor	Nominated

See also

• Blue Gap Boy'z
• Pete & Cleo
• James and Ernie, a Navajo comedy duo

External links

• Turquoise Rose
• Turquoise Rose at IMDb
• Turquoise Rose – 32nd American Indian Film Festival Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
• Director's 'Rose' is about to bloom Archived 2010-02-03 at the Wayback Machine at Gallup Independent
• Film set to imitate art and life on the rez Archived 2010-02-03 at the Wayback Machine at Gallup Independent
• Brainstorming in Baghdad…The Story Behind the Story of “Turquoise Rose” at NativeVue
• Turquoise Rose Premieres in Window Rock, Arizona at NativeVue
• Movie With All Navajo Cast To Debut at Native Youth Magazine
• Turquoise Rose at Tempe at Native Youth Magazine
• Turquoise Rose (2007) at Yahoo! movies
• Manta