Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli’s documentary chronicles the Lakota Indians’ quest to reclaim the Black Hills.
Hailed as a visually dynamic and unflinchingly honest documentary about the Lakota Indians’ campaign to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was seized from them in brazen violation of treaty agreements, Lakota Nation vs. United States will kick off its theatrical release July 14 before expanding to other markets July 21.
According to the showbiz trade paper Variety, the documentary directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli was acquired for North American distribution by IFC Films after its premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. Mark Ruffalo, Marisa Tomei and author/activist Sarah Eagle Heart are executive producers of the film, which is narrated by and features the poetry of acclaimed Ogala Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier, winner of the National Book Critics Circle award and finalist for the National Book Award.
Among the Lakota activists interviewed: Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, two organizers of Landback, a movement that calls for the acknowledgement and return of Indigenous sovereignty over traditional territories.
“Both of us are overjoyed this film found a home at IFC Films,” Short Bull and Tomaselli said in a joint statement. “In bringing Lakota Nation vs. United States to audiences we hope to help catalyze a necessary conversation about healing and create momentum towards repairing historic wrongs.”
Mark Ruffalo added:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with IFC Films on the North American release of Lakota Nation vs. United States. A film about Landback could not be more timely or urgent, and we hope the documentary helps catapult the movement into the national consciousness, pushing for action that will return the Black Hills to the Lakota people.”
Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter praised Lakota Nation vs. United States, noting: “Short Bull and Tomaselli have made an affecting and timely chronicle. At its core is a question that could be applied to much of human history, but burns with particular intensity in the story of the United States: Why must the push for ‘progress’ be built on so much fear — a need to exploit, subjugate, silence and remove what isn’t understood — rather than on an openhearted curiosity to understand and connect?”
Here is the trailer for Lakota Nation vs. United States.
