Searching for Winnetou

Synopsis

Drew Hayden Taylor spends a summer in Germany, investigating the fascination many German tourists have with Indigenous culture. They are particularly drawn to Winnetou, a fictional Apache warrior. Taylor visits camps where thousands of Germans dress as Indigenous people, seeking an authentic 'Indianer' experience. One museum curator describes Winnetou as "Superman for the German people." The film addresses cultural appropriation and the effects of this obsession on Indigenous communities and German culture over the past century.