Smith and Dommek were both Iñupiaq in Alaska's northern territories, and Dommek was shocked that Smith was involved in these violent crimes. He knew Smith from his role in the 2011 film "On the Ice," one of the first films about the life of Alaska Native communities that didn't delve into stereotypes.
What fascinated Dommek about Smith's case was that, once Smith was finally captured by police, he told them that while hiking through very rugged terrain with no protection from the elements, he saw the Iñukuns, evil "little people" whom the Iñupiaq have spoken of in their legends for centuries, and that the Iñukuns influenced him to commit these violent acts.
Director: Kahlil Hudson
Writer: James Dommek Jr.
Star: Chase Breithoff
As Dommek continued to investigate Smith's case, he sought to visit Smith, who was serving a 90-year prison sentence, and interview him about the violence he committed and his statement about the Iñukuns. Dammek finally succeeds, but ends up with as many questions as before speaking with him.
Although the Teddy Kyle Smith case is somewhat complex, Blood & Myth isn't as complicated a film as it is told from Dammek's perspective. He wanted to delve deeper into the case, especially the parts related to Smith's alleged sighting of the Iñukuns, so the bulk of the documentary consists of recordings of Smith's interviews, which he obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Visually, there are some reenactments and animations, but overall, the film's style consists of direct interviews with interviewers, newspaper clippings, and archival footage.
The story focuses on Dammek's attempt to speak with Smith, but when he finally has the opportunity, Smith gives somewhat circular answers to his questions. He acknowledges that he may have had choices about his actions at the time, but that this choice was still influenced by how he responded to the Iñukuns. It was a bit disappointing, given that the film was meant to focus on Dammek finally being able to speak to Smith.
But Blood and Myth manages to offer audiences a glimpse into the Iñupiaq nation and the mythologies that have been passed down through generations. That alone makes it worth watching.
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