Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film centers on a Lakota elder, the historical weight of Wounded Knee, and an emotionally truthful final performance.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Lakota Elder and Ensemble

The film centers on Dan, a Lakota elder played by Chief Dave Bald Eagle. Kent Nerburn, Grover, Wenonah and Danelle, Delvin, Billy, and Jumbo form the named supporting ensemble.

Key Events

• Lakota Elder Leads Story — Dan is established as the film's central Lakota elder. Characters: Dan Location: Lakota community setting
• Writer Enters Narrative — Kent Nerburn appears as a major supporting character. Characters: Kent Nerburn Location: Film narrative
• Grover Joins Ensemble — Grover is introduced as part of the supporting cast. Characters: Grover Location: Film narrative
• Twin Characters Appear — Wenonah and Danelle are presented as twin characters. Characters: Dan Location: Film narrative
• Additional Characters Appear — Delvin, Billy, and Jumbo expand the named ensemble. Characters: Delvin, Billy, Jumbo Location: Film narrative

Across Reservation Landscapes

The production is rooted in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, near the South Dakota and Nebraska border. Additional filming locations include Los Angeles, Rushville, Nebraska, and a remote trailer house.

Key Events

• Additional Characters Appear — Delvin, Billy, and Jumbo expand the named ensemble. Characters: Delvin, Billy, Jumbo Location: Film narrative
• Pine Ridge Reservation — The film was primarily shot on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn, Grover, Dan, Delvin, Billy, Jumbo Location: Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
• Reservation Borderlands — The reservation is described as bordering South Dakota and Nebraska. Characters: Dan Location: South Dakota and Nebraska border region
• Los Angeles Scenes — Some scenes were filmed in Los Angeles. Characters: Kent Nerburn Location: Los Angeles
• Rushville Scenes — Additional scenes were filmed in Rushville, Nebraska. Characters: Dan Location: Rushville, Nebraska
• Remote Trailer Setting — One scene was filmed in a remote trailer house. Characters: Dan Location: Remote trailer house

Memory at Wounded Knee

The story reaches a climactic scene at Wounded Knee. The script and novel were discarded so Dan could improvise the scene from personal and family history.

Key Events

• Approach to Wounded Knee — The narrative reaches a climactic scene filmed at Wounded Knee. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Wounded Knee Ground — Wounded Knee is the setting of the film's climactic scene. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Script Set Aside — The script was thrown away before the climactic performance. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Novel Set Aside — The novel was also discarded before the scene was performed. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Dan Improvises Scene — Dan improvises the entire climactic scene from personal feeling. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Family History Shapes Performance — Dan's family had a close connection to the 1890 massacre. Characters: Dan Location: Wounded Knee

A Truthful Final Witness

After filming, Dan tells Kent Nerburn that he had held the emotion in for ninety-five years. Dan later views the completed film and praises its truthful representation of his people.

Key Events

• Ninety-Five Years Released — After filming, Dan says he had held the emotion in for ninety-five years. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn Location: Wounded Knee
• Dan Views Finished Film — Dan saw the completed film before his death. Characters: Dan Location: Film viewing
• Truthful Representation Affirmed — Dan says the film is the only one about his people that told the truth. Characters: Dan Location: Film viewing
• Film Reaches Audiences — The film received a self-distributed theatrical release and critical approval. Characters: Dan, Kent Nerburn, Grover, Dan, Delvin, Billy, Jumbo Location: United States cinemas

Story Breakdown

• Dan's Central Role — Dan is the protagonist and a Lakota elder played by Chief Dave Bald Eagle.
  • Lakota Elder — The film stars Dan in the lead role as a Lakota elder.
  • Personal Testimony — Dan describes the emotional burden released during the climactic scene.
• Kent Nerburn's Presence — Kent Nerburn is identified as a major supporting character and appears opposite Dan in the climax.
  • Supporting Writer — Kent Nerburn is played by Christopher Sweeney.
  • Climactic Counterpart — The Wounded Knee scene places Dan and Kent Nerburn's performers opposite each other.
• Named Supporting Ensemble — The film includes Grover, Wenonah and Danelle, Delvin, Billy, and Jumbo.
  • Community Figures — Grover and Jumbo are listed among the supporting characters.
  • Additional Characters — Wenonah and Danelle, Delvin, and Billy complete the named ensemble.
• Reservation Landscapes — The production is primarily rooted in Pine Ridge and also uses several contrasting locations.
  • Pine Ridge — Most of the film was shot on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
  • Additional Locations — Scenes were also shot in Los Angeles, Rushville, and a remote trailer house.
• Wounded Knee Climax — The film's climactic scene is set at Wounded Knee and departs from the written materials.
  • Written Materials Discarded — The script and the novel were thrown away before the scene.
  • Improvised Performance — Dan improvised the entire scene from his heart.
• Truthful Final Witness — Dan's response to the finished film frames it as a truthful representation of his people.
  • Emotional Release — Dan says he had held the emotion in for ninety-five years.
  • Truth Affirmed — Dan calls it the only film about his people that told the truth.

Directed by

Steven Lewis Simpson

Key Cast

• Chief Dave Beautiful Bald Eagle — Dan
• Christopher Sweeney — Kent Nerburn
• Richard Ray Whitman — Grover
• Roseanne Supernault — Wenonah / Danelle
• Tatanka Means — Delvin