The 2014 movie Jason Momoa wants everyone to see: “About a very important topic”
The world might know Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo, action hero, massive hunk, or perhaps, Lisa Bonet’s husband, but fewer seem to realise that he’s also a multi-hyphenate.
You might be thinking actor-model or something of the sort, but it’s unlikely you’ll immediately jump to actor-writer-director. But when asked what someone’s introduction to him should be, Momoa cited his 2014 directorial debut.
“Road to Paloma,” he told Collider, “It’s a movie that I co-wrote, directed, and did with, like, six of my friends about a very important topic on the Native American reservations”.
Written with the help of Robert Homer Mollohan and Jonathan Hirschbein, Road to Paloma follows Momoa as the leading character, Wolf, a native American who goes on the run after avenging his mother’s death at the hands of a white man.
Unfortunately, this very important topic is one that is much more complex than someone playing Aquaman is truly equipped for. For starters, yes, Momoa is Native Hawaiian, but it’s not exactly the same as being Native American. So perhaps, it’s not quite his story to tell. But then again, just because someone doesn’t have the exact lived experience of the story they’re telling, doesn’t mean they can’t do a good job.
Unfortunately, Road to Paloma isn’t one of those rare success stories. Having started as a Baywatch actor and progressed into fantasy, sci-fi and action, Momoa doesn’t exactly have the correct expertise to pull off such a complex film. Then there’s the fact that this seems to be yet another film that has the rape and murder of not just one but two women as its motivating factor.
It’s important to address violence against women despite how difficult a topic it is. But more often than not, it’s simply used as a motivating action for the male protagonists. It’s rare that women who actually have this experience get to tell their stories. Yet, stories of men avenging the deaths of their lovers, mothers and sisters are not so hard to come by. And so often, as is the case with Momoa’s project, the complexity of these crimes is not dealt with; they are simply a footnote.
Then there’s the fact that Momoa obviously didn’t have a big budget to work with. Road to Paloma was made with only $600,000, with many of Momoa’s friends and his wife pitching in on the work. Sadly, it just didn’t seem to come together to deal with the “important topic” that Momoa seems desperate to deal with.
The film got middle-of-the-road reviews at best, with many citing its easygoing biker storyline as its strong point. But when you’re trying to deal with issues such as colonialism, racism and rape, that’s not exactly the part you want to be praised.
Then again, it’s good when actors try and push their own boundaries and step behind the camera, but often, it’s just undercooked. Perhaps because those around them don’t want to give the feedback that the work needs; however, there are so many people who should have edited Momoa along the way.
