The 1999 film, “Metis - of Mixed Blood” is a short documentary that presents the life of the Native American Elder and Medicine Woman Mechi Garza. Metis is a term that means someone of mixed blood; especially the offspring of an American Indian and a person of European ancestry. This documentary film recounts Mechi's life as a Metis in the modern world, from her adoption and rearing by a white family, her joys and sorrows along the path of womanhood, and her ultimate journey of rediscovering and reclaiming her native identity and heritage.
The film was an Official Selection of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, earned Best of Show at the Distinguished Appalachian Women’s Celebration, Best Documentary of the Frog Baby Film Festival, was an Official Selection of the New Orleans Film and Video Festival, and was shown at the International Women's Writing Guild (IWWG) International Festival. The script was written by Mechi Garza; the film was produced and directed by Barbara Cook Overton.
DVD copies of "Metis - of Mixed Blood" are available from Barbara Cook Overton at a cost of $30.00 each, which includes postage. Please email her directly at Bcookoverton@aol.com for availability and ordering information.
Barbara Cook Overton
Barbara Cook Overton spent six years as a Professor of Film and Television Arts at the University of Memphis. A professional film and television editor, she also made "Metis - of Mixed Blood”, a documentary about Mechi. Barbara has also edited numerous commercials, music videos, documentaries, features, and television programs. Her recent documentaries, which she produced, directed, shot, and edited, include “Where Amistad Leaves Off,” shot entirely on location in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She is also at work on a documentary for the International Children's Heart Foundation, shooting in Nicaragua.
