There's no stopping Landon Underwood when he puts his mind to something - and not just on the lacrosse floor.
The young centre for the Peninsula Warriors bantam A2 team proved that while walking past the Star Cinema recently.
The 13-year-old asked his dad, Pauquachin tribal chief Bruce Underwood, to check and see if the manager could play Crooked Arrows.
He was intrigued after seeing a trailer for the film online, but disappointed that no local opening dates were planned.
"We love that!" said Sandy Oliver, owner of the quaint Sidney twinplex, which encourages community feedback.
Oliver was so impressed by Landon's passion that she booked the underdog sports drama for a one-week run starting Friday.
"Alliance [the film distributor] has been very keen to go with us on this, and there's been a lot of interest."
To lacrosse what The Mighty Ducks was to minor hockey, Crooked Arrows stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) as Joe Logan, a half-native American high school lacrosse champ-turned-real estate developer and reservation casino promoter.
To win tribal-council approval for a business expansion, Joe reluctantly agrees to coach a ragtag team of Native American students who play lacrosse against wealthy white kids.
Along the way, references to the history of lacrosse and messages about capitalist greed and the importance of honouring your ancestors are intercut with requisite sports action sequences.
"When did the Indians start playing lacrosse?" asks one character, unaware of its native roots.
It's a line sure to get laughs from members of the local lacrosse community, especially First Nations fans who have been expressing interest in the film.
"It looks inspirational," says Landon. "And I'm First Nations. Those are two reasons I want to see it."
Although Crooked Arrows has had a limited release, Oliver has high hopes for its brief engagement.
"People seem excited about it. Several bands are coming for different screenings.
"This is quite a lacrosse community."
A local attraction is an onscreen appearance by retired professional lacrosse player Gary Gait, the Syracuse University Women's Lacrosse head coach who, with twin brother Paul, once starred for the Victoria Shamrocks.
The twins went on to become lacrosse superstars, playing in the National Lacrosse League and with the Canadian national team.
To view a trailer for Crooked Arrow, go to timescolonist.com/arts
