Under the working title Being Cheyenne / Być Chejenką, this deeply moving road documentary directed by C.T. Jasper and Joanna Malinowska captures the extraordinary journey of two unlikely pilgrims: Sara Wila and Johnny. They have been best friends for a long time, though their approaches to life are completely different. Sara Wila is a sharp, outspoken, transgender woman who came out at 55 and is now approaching 70, while Johnny is a reserved, sensitive, 50-year-old alpha male. Both are native Poles and passionate "Indianthusiasts," united by a lifelong fascination with the rich and diverse tapestry of Native American cultures. Their enthusiasm is grounded in the Polish Movement of Friends of Indians, a unique and vibrant community that has embraced and romanticized Indigenous ways of life since the early 1970s. For many, this movement offered a form of cultural escapism and a subtle act of rebellion against the constraints of communist rule, channeling a yearning for freedom, spirituality, and connection to nature.

The film’s title stems from Sara Wila’s profound personal identification with the Cheyenne people—she considers herself part of the Cheyenne tribe in spirit, a belief that reflects the depths of her sense of emotional and cultural connection. A cherished memory in Sara’s life, and a symbolic moment for the film, is captured in a photograph of her standing beside Dennis Banks, the iconic American Indian Movement (AIM) leader. This photo was taken in Poland during the 1990 Sacred Run, a spiritual and political event that crossed through the country. Banks, who stayed in Sara’s tipi during the run, left a lasting impression on her, and the photo serves as both a personal relic and a cultural touchstone—a reminder of the real human connections forged through decades of solidarity and shared ideals.

Now, for the first time, Sara Wila and Johnny embark on an ambitious journey across North America’s varied landscape, driven by a desire to engage with the authentic people and places that have profoundly influenced their understanding of Indigeneity. Their pilgrimage leads them through the windswept prairies of Oglala, Pine Ridge, and the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, where the air is thick with history and the spirit of resilience echoes in the whispering grass. They are awed by the breathtaking beauty of Blackfoot territory, with its majestic mountains and rolling plains, where the land itself speaks to the sacred ties between people and place. And yet, the stories they once read in their own homeland take on a much harsher and more painful reality when experienced firsthand.

Their path eventually leads them to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota, where they visit the home of Leonard Peltier, the long-imprisoned Native American activist and symbol of Indigenous resistance. This poignant visit, steeped in reverence and reflection, becomes a crucial moment in their journey, linking their personal odyssey with one of the most enduring struggles for justice in Native American history.

Being Cheyenne / Być Chejenką transcends the typical road trip narrative, offering a stirring exploration of friendship, caregiving, isolation, escapism, and the deep yearning for cultural connection. The film delves into the surreal tension between myth and lived experience, where Sara Wila and Johnny’s genuine reverence for Indigenous cultures at times edges into the complicated terrain of cultural appropriation. Through their journey—and the landscapes they traverse—they confront the profound question of what it truly means to belong in a world defined by both shared humanity and significant difference.

With a masterful blend of quiet humor, thoughtful introspection, and breathtaking visual artistry, Being Cheyenne / Być Chejenką presents a heartfelt meditation on identity, nostalgia, and the elusive meaning of “home.” It invites viewers to reflect on the physical and imagined boundaries that shape our connections to culture and community, ultimately revealing the intricate and often paradoxical layers of belonging that define our lives.