You are here:

The Daughter of Dawn

Name: The Daughter of Dawn
Director: Norbert A. Myles
Released: 1920
Duration: 83 min

Representation Score

6.1/10

Good

1920

TV-G

Director

Norbert A. Myles

Runtime

83 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Daughter of Dawn is a groundbreaking film from the early days of cinema, known for its entirely Native American cast. This choice rejects the common practice of white actors in redface during the 1920s. By focusing on Indigenous social structures and romantic narratives, the film moves away from settler-colonial perspectives and instead emphasizes authentic ethnic experiences. While the film excels in representing Indigenous cultures and genders, the specific aspects of LGBTQ+ identities and the extent of women's ability to drive the story remain undefined in the available historical context.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Daughter of Dawn have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on a romantic relationship between a Kiowa woman and her partner. However, there is no clear indication of LGBTQ+ identities in the narrative.

How does The Daughter of Dawn portray gender?

Fair

A Kiowa woman is the main character, breaking the usual cliché of women being secondary characters. A jealous female rival adds complexity to the drama through her interactions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Daughter of Dawn?

Excellent

This film stands out for its time by featuring an entirely Native American cast, avoiding the common practice of white actors portraying Native Americans.

How does The Daughter of Dawn represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film highlights the internal dynamics of Kiowa and Comanche communities, shifting the focus from American expansionism to a localized, non-Western perspective.

Does The Daughter of Dawn include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the surviving records or synopsis.

Present on Screen

The film features an entirely Native American cast, providing authentic ethnic representation.
It centers Indigenous social structures rather than the typical American expansionist narrative.
A Kiowa woman serves as the central protagonist, challenging traditional Western gender roles.

Limited or Absent

The film does not explicitly address non-straight-centered or queer identities.
The extent of women's ability to drive the story in driving the plot is not clearly defined.
There is no documented representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The Daughter of Dawn is a silent Western, and one of the few films of the silent era to have an entirely Native American cast. It tells the story of a Kiowa woman and her lover, his feats of bravery, and their trials at the hands of a jealous rival and Comanche warriors. Completed in 1920, it was only shown a few times before being considered lost. Five reels of the movie were found in 2005, and restored by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 2012.

How are these scores produced? →