Would the 1998 movie Smoke Signals had commercial success in California?

Question

"Smoke Signals was a screenplay by Sherman Alexi. It's a native american film based on the short story :The Lone Ranger and Tonto."

Answer 1

Smoke Signals is Awesome!!! I am a Native woman and greatly appreciate it.
I believe that it would have had great commerical success. For it being as unadvertised as it was Many people know if it and have seen it.
Having said that I don't think many non-Natives would see it twice. I think the Indian humor used in the movie might be above their heads. Also that it doesn't display Indians as stereotypical might be a bit confusing. I have watched with some non-Natives who laugh and love it and some who just watch with a blank look on their face, like what's the point.
But just the fact that it is a Native movie would have brought in big crowds.