Flight is the hilarious and tragic story of an orphaned Indian boy who travels back and forth through time in a charged search for his true identity. With powerful, swift prose, Flight follows the troubled teenager as he learns that violence is not the answer. The journey begins as he's about to commit a massive act of violence. At the moment of decision, he finds himself shot back through time to resurface in the body of an FBI agent during the civil rights era. It's only the first stop. He continues traveling back to inhabit the body of an Indian child during the battle at Little Bighorn and then ride with an Indian tracker in the 1800s before materializing as an airline pilot jetting through the skies today. During these furious travels through time, his refrain grows: "Who's to judge?" and "I don't understand humans." When finally the young warrior comes back to his own life, he is transformed by all he has seen.
Sherman Alexie is a poet, short-story writer, novelist, and performer. He is a winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the PEN/Malamud Award for Short Fiction, a PEN/Hemingway Citation for Best First Fiction, and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. A Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian, he grew up in Wellpinit, Washington, on the Spokane Indian Reservation, and has been an urban Indian since 1994.
Long bio (from agent, unedited)
ADAM BEACH received much critical acclaim for his powerful starring turn as Ira Hayes, in "FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS" directed by Clint Eastwood, written by Paul Haggis, and produced by Stephen Spielberg.
Adam has also recently completed "Comanche Moon" the CBS mini-series, written by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry (of Oscar winning Brokeback Mountain). He plays Blue Duck opposite a star studded cast including Val Kilmer and Steve Zahn.
Next, Adam will take on the lead role of Charles Eastman, in the HBO film adaptation of the world renowned book BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE. He will star opposite Aidan Quinn, and Anna Paquin, who plays a young missionary who marries Charles Eastman. He has also signed on as a series regular on "Law & Order: SVU" playing the role of Ice-T's partner, Chester Lake.
Adam may today be best known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Victor Joseph in "Smoke Signals," which won the Filmmaker's Trophy Award and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Adam first brush with fame occurred in his follow up, starring opposite Nicolas Cage in John Woo's "Windtalkers," the story of the Navajo Code Talkers, who spoke their language as a code during World War II.
Beach's many studio and independent feature films also include "The Big Empty," "The Art of Woo," "Posers" "Last Stop," "Now and Forever," "My Indian Summer" (Best Actor In A Feature Film by First Americans In The Arts), "A Boy Called Hate," "The Adventures of Joe Dirt," opposite David Spade, and "Mystery, Alaska,"
On television, Beach has starred in the television films "Johnny Total," "Skinwalkers," and "Spirit Rider," among many others. He has also appeared in several episodes of television, including such programs as "JAG," "Third Watch," "The Dead Zone," "Lonesome Dove,"
"Touched By An Angel," "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Madison," "Dead Man's Gun," a co-starring role as Charlie in CBC's "The Rez," and guest- starring on "First Wave." In Canada, Beach will next star in "Moose TV," a limited-run comedy series for Canadian television.
Beach was born in Manitoba, Canada, and began acting in Winnipeg when he was a teenager. At he age of 16, he was introduced to an extras casting director and the meeting landed him a spot in the film "Lost in the Barrens," playing Graham Greene's canoe mate. Beach spent the next four years in the theatrical world of Manitoba small theatre.
It wasn't long before Beach was cast as the lead in "Squanto: A Warrior's Tale" opposite Mandy Patinkin. It was Canada's own Bruce McDonald, however, that finally recognized Beach's true potential and penchant for the absurd, casting him as Frank Fencepost in the screen adaptation of W.P. Kinsella's "Dance Me Outside." This film garnered him critical acclaim both in Canada and the United States, and landed him a Best Actor award from the American Indian Film Festival.
Beach's work is strongly rooted in his Native heritage, bringing a unique and diverse perspective to his craft. His commitment to his spiritual development through traditional grass dancing enhances his work. Beach spends his spare time playing hockey and generously donating his voice and enthusiasm in support of Native Youth. He also sings and plays guitar in his own band he leads, Jesus Murphy.
