The true signals of Smoke Signals

The title of the film was changed to Smoke Signals from “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”. What do you think the director is trying to say about the significance of smoke signals in this film? What about communication in general?

The director is trying to say that similar to how a Phoenix is reborn from its own ashes, the fire in the movie also causes the characters to be reborn a different person.  In the beginning they said after the fire Victor’s dad was never the same.  He felt guilty about the fire and therefor was changed because of what happened.  This is also the reason he left.

 

Smoke Signals were used to communicate over long distances using a code.  This idea is also in the movie during the scenes when the house party goes up in flames, when Victor’s dad trailer is set on fire, and the stories Thomas tells. 

When Victor’s dad saved Thomas from the house fire he was the hero, because he saved Thomas.  Except that was the signal that everyone saw, when the true signal that Victors dad seen caused him to feel guilt.

The signal that might have been sent when Victor’s dads trailer was set of fire, may have been a symbol of letting go.  I was also a symbol for Victor’s dad body.  Like the trailer, his body was burned and for both Suzy and for Victor the ashes that were left changed them. 

Also the stories Thomas tells might have a literal meaning but most of them also have a deeper hidden meaning that when interpreted right show what the true message is.