Private Project

Mile Post 398

Mile Post 398 is a 2007 independent drama film written, directed and produced by Shonie and Andee De La Rosa, it is also the first featured film in cinema history that an all-Navajo team wrote, produced, directed, filmed and starred in.

Filmed almost entirely in Kayenta, Arizona, as well as in several other locations in the surrounding region, (Black Mesa, Chinle, Many Farms and Tsegi). It was an official selection of the American Indian Film Festival and Monument Valley Film Festival.
Taking place on the Navajo Nation, Cloyd Begay (Beau Benally), has been a victim of alcohol abuse and domestic violence throughout his childhood in result having him resorting to alcohol to repress his memories. As he is willing to take responsible for his life and as husband and father, his drinking buddies Jimmy (Gerald Vandever) and Marty (James Junes) cultivate in having Cloyd continue their carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying, preventing him to change. All the while, his wife Lorraine (Kim White) and son Michael (KJ White) begin to lose hope in him and seriously consider leaving him. As the ensuing events unfold, it leads him making the choice that will change his life forever.

  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Director
  • Andee De La Rosa
    Director
  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Writer
  • Andee De La Rosa
    Writer
  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Producer
  • Andee De La Rosa
    Producer
  • Beau Benally
    Key Cast
    "Cloyd Begay"
  • Gerald Vandever
    Key Cast
    "Jimmy"
  • James Junes
    Key Cast
    "Marty"
  • Ernest David Tsosie III
    Key Cast
    "Ray Yazzie"
  • Kim White
    Key Cast
    "Lorraine"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 50 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 27, 2006
  • Production Budget:
    37,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    SD Video
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • American Indian Film Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    Best Supporting Actor
  • Fargo Film Festival
    Fargo
    United States
    Best Narrative Feature
  • Tulalip Film Festival
    Tulalip
    United States
    Best Drama & Best Screenplay
  • Talking Stick Film Festival
    Santa Fe
    United States
    Best Actor
Distribution Information
  • Sheephead Films
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Shonie De La Rosa, Andee De La Rosa

Shonie & Andee De La Rosa produced and directed the documentary film “G Methamphetamine on the Navajo Nation”. The film focused on the devastation methamphetamine had on the Navajo people and brought to light how huge the problem was on the Navajo Nation. The film won the “Best Public Service” award at the prestigious American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, CA and eventually led the Navajo Nation Council to pass a resolution making the use, possession or manufacturing of methamphetamine on the Navajo Nation illegal.

In 2006, Shonie and his wife Andee began their first feature film Mile Post 398. Produced entirely on the Navajo Nation and utilizing an all Navajo cast, crew and musical score. This was a first for any film produced that dealt with Navajo subject matter. The film has received many awards and is extremely popular among the Native American population of North America.

Shonie & Andee have also produced & directed numerous short films & music videos throughout their film careers. Many of them have gone on to win multiple awards within the film festival circuit.

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Director Statement

Keep it real and don't be a sell-out to your people.

- Shonie De La Rosa