3500+ Films - 2.5 million words – 1 million viewers! Founder and Curator Carmela selects some of our most entertaining, powerful and inspiring First Nations films at We Are Moving Stories. These include documentary and drama, shorts and features taking place in the USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Ecuador.
Total length of this section: 28 films.
<USA>
And Now We Rise: A Portrait of Samuel Johns - A young Athabaskan hip hop artist works to heal from his own traumatic childhood by leading a sober life encouraging cultural pride and helping homeless in Alaska with a Facebook group, Forget Me Not. Length: 56.40 minutes. Director/Producer Mary Rosanne Katzke:
“I made the film because I wanted to profile a positive story about a young Alaska Native activist. I love our indigenous people and have worked among our many native cultures for over 30 years and have a kinship for their triumphs and struggles. I love their innate respect for their elders and traditions that are being revived today. Samuel gives us all hope about the strength of individuals to make a change.”
Snqʷeyłmistn: the place where you do your best - The word given to the Salish people to call themselves is Sqelixʷ, which translates to “flesh and land.” When people lose their sense of “Place,” they lose their awareness of self and others in relation to the land and the legacy of their cultural traditions. Modern-day Salish strive to help children experience a respected and nurtured place in the community through programs, activities, and the building of an intentional community. Length: 7:12 minutes. Director Ivan MacDonald:
“With the ever-present existential threat of overturning, the Indian child welfare act. I believe it’s time we start sharing stories that show the importance of the connection and kinship of our communities. ”
The Confluence - This short documentary focuses on the controversial Escalade Development, a proposal which would take a gondola to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers meet. As the film follows a group of Navajo activists fighting to protect this sacred site, we explore how places shape human identities in profound ways. Length: 16.9 minutes. Director Courtney Blackmer-Raynolds:
“I’m intrigued by how places make us who we are. This project was a way to learn about the relationship between landscape and identity while simultaneously creating a tool for Navajo activists in a contemporary fight to protect their sacred lands.”
ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek) - In order to revitalize cultural traditions, a Cherokee elder fights to restore the “irreversibly damaged” Tar Creek. Length: 9:10 minutes. Director/Producer Loren Waters:
“The story taps into her inherent connection to the Cherokee homelands in North Carolina from where we were forcibly removed and the beauty of that place and where she lives now. Rebecca’s environmental justice work in the community is inspiring to me and many others. ”
<CANADA>
Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things - An exploration of LGBT identities in Canada’s northern Arctic territory. Length: 71 minutes. Director Mark Kenneth Woods:
“The average viewer would know next to nothing about Canada’s largest and most northern territory of Nunavut and its indigenous people – The Inuit. As members of the LGBTQ community, we are always looking for the untold stories and the under-represented members of our community. ”
The Road to Webequie - A mining company has promised to create opportunities for the remote Webequie First Nation. Through the eyes of three youths facing an uncertain future, this observational yet expansive documentary shows the struggles — and hopes — of a community confronting challenges that many Canadians will never experience. Filmmaker Ryan Noth:
“Given the lack of support from federal and provincial governments in Canada for first nations, I think it’s very important people know what is going on. As Alanis Obomsawin says, “History can be lost if no one tells the stories.””
The Black Wolf Drew Robinson was losing control of his life due to an alcohol addiction. After three near death experiences, he decides to get sober. Using May Thai Boxing and his Blackfoot culture, Drew discovers a way of coping with his drinking habits that keeps him close to his roots. Length: 8 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Trevor Solway:
“I think too often society closes the book on minorities who are suffering. Too often are we cast off as drunks, thieves and savages but we are real people with real stories and real strength. I would encourage people to watch my film if they want to see a true story of a young Indigenous man who bounced back and turned those stereotypes on their head.”
Cree Code Talker An insightful story that brings a hidden history that haunts the Canadian landscape. As Canadian law criminalized indigenous languages, Cree was being used in World War II to save lives. A mixture of interviews, rare audio, archival documents, war footage, and a brother’s memories. Length: 14 minutes. Writer/Director Alexandra Lazarowich:
“Indigenous people weren’t even allowed to vote at the time these tours of duty took place. We want to see both the Canadian and American governments acknowledge the work of the Cree Code Talkers - this is long overdue. ”
This Ink Runs Deep - All across Canada, Indigenous artists are reawakening both traditional and contemporary tattoo practices as a way to reclaim their cultures and identities. Length: 16.25 minutes. Director Asia Youngman:
“Family and the importance of sharing these teachings with our youth are very prominent themes throughout the film. The overall message is the celebration of pride for who we are and where we come from.”
Red Card World: The Tree - In the year 2167, Migizikwe learns of a new threat to the sovereign Michi Saagiig Territory and an ancient tree offers protection. Length: 5.00 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Cara Mumford:
“This world explores a time in the future, after the climate collapse in the 2060’s, when the Michi Saagiig Nishinaabeg govern a sovereign and sustainable nation in their traditional territory while much of the world crumbles around them. After 2070, survivors outside of the territory can apply to live and work on the territory under Indigenous governance; if they are accepted, they are given a Red Card. ”
Tiny - Tiny is a contemplative stop motion film which tells the story of ‘Nakwaxda’xw Elder Colleen Hemphill’s childhood. Length: 16:21 minutes. Director/Producer/Editor/Animator Ritchie Hemphill:
“Going forward into an ever more digitally integrated era in humanity, I wanted to create a film that felt like a physical reminder of life lived with more of a direct focus on the natural environment, and from a ‘Nakwaxda’xw elders perspective.”
<AUSTRALIA>
Nan and a Whole Lot of Trouble - Nan, of Aboriginal and Irish descent, keeps a photo album of dead family members. Younger sister Min believes this morbid European tradition is culturally inappropriate. Length: 11 minutes. Producer Lois Randall:
“Nan and A Whole Lot Of Trouble is funny and touching and unexpected. It deals with complex issues around identity, grief and cultural taboos in an original way with wonderful humour. Audiences laugh out loud.”
Angels Gather Here - follows Jacki Trapman’s journey back to her hometown of Brewarrina to celebrate her parents, Bill and Barbara’s 60th Wedding Anniversary. Going home is never easy for Jacki. Amidst the family celebrations she reflects on her life; her story symbolising the strength, dignity and resilience of many Aboriginal people in the face of adversity. Length: 50 minutes. Writer/Director Ian Hamilton:
“The film offers the audience a unique insight into the lives of one Aboriginal family and how government policy and racist public opinion have affected them on a personal level over four generations.”
Walkatjurra: Our actions will never stop - It is the 70th anniversary of the first nuclear test in indigenous Australian territory and the Aboriginal communities call on activists from all over the world to carry out a 200 km anti-nuclear walk through the desert. Among them, the directors of this documentary join to record this walk, which seeks to end the extraction of uranium, the mineral with which atomic bombs are produced. What attitude will we take as humanity in the face of the possibility of creation and destruction? Length: 1 hour 11 minutes 32 seconds. Director Francisca Silva Bravo:
“We are interested in seeing this film circulate around the world and with this we generate a great common force to protect sacred territories and push back the violence generated by the war industry. ”
My Art, My Culture Webseries - A new series from Barkly Regional Arts, My Art, My Culture looks into the local artists of the Barkly region. Length: 2:12 minutes. Director/Editor William Thomson:
“Are people aware of life in remote Australia, or what artists from Tennant Creek are like?”
Wire In His Blood - An artist's story from the Central Australian Desert. Length: 6:56 minutes. Director Matt Deavin:
“I made the film to shine a light on David’s talent as an artist but to also partition for there to be a dialysis unit in Titjikala, which would make an enormous difference to the quality of his life and to others in the town suffering from the same condition.”
Clan - James Saunders is an Australian Aboriginal man who was told at boarding school he was not clever enough to go to University. He lived in the Aboriginal community where there is 'men's business' and 'women's business', James overcame doubts about coming out and joined the Convicts Rugby team, winning three Bingham Cups with them. James has become a role model for young, gay Aboriginal people. 'Clan' details the journey of James' remarkable life in his own words. Length: 7 minutes. Director Larissa Behrendt:
“It meant a lot to me that James was happy with the story. And I was pleased that other young gay people find his story inspirational. I was able to send it to a friend who was feeling suicidal and he then reached out to James.”
Brown Paper Bag follows young indigenous boy, Jayden, as he discovers the world of reading with the help of a cheeky principal and Australia’s most inspiring Storyteller – Boori Pryor. Length: 15 minutes. Also starring John Wood. Director Jon Staley:
“Why would the young indigenous boy in the film refuse to go to the library? That question is at the heart of this story and is a window into Australia’s colonial history.”
Kuyata's Country - Audrey Kuyata Stewart is the last speaker of her language, Lower Southern Arrernte. Audrey's nephew, Richie Aitken, and his family travel from over 1000km away so that Audrey can pass on her knowledge of Country and language amidst the stunning and remote landscape of Oodnadatta. Length: 23:53 minutes. Writer Audrey 'Kuyata' Stewart:
“Language is tied to Arrernte Country. I’m the only one that speaks Lower Southern Arrernte language and I’m telling my story in this film. This is what we’re talking about, all our stories are connected to this place. Country connects these stories and Arrernte people.”
Swallows - Set in Australia’s frontier past, Swallows follows a traumatised Indigenous boy as he begins work on an isolated sheep farm and forms a connection with the farmer’s daughter. Length: 17 minutes. Writer/Director Victoria Thompson:
“Connection is a very important theme in the film, connection to the land and the people around us. It’s how we can overcome our suffering, loneliness and trauma as humans.
Many films about the bush focus on the alienation the bush brings out but I wanted to go behind that and understand why that is.”
<MEXICO>
The Allied King - Fernando Cruz is The Allied King, a prestigious role in an indigenous dance called The Feather Dance. Length: 8 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Jason Outenreath:
“The Allied King is, at its heart, about recognition. It’s essential to realize that these cultures exist, and to help preserve them. This film shows an often unseen part of Mexico and Mexican culture, and I think that’s definitely worth watching and learning from. ”
Time is out of Joint - Narco-capitalism has significantly modified the rural environment in Mexico. More than 40,000 acres of Indigenous forest in Michoacán have been appropriated by narco industries, turning it into a a composite site of cartel-drug crimes and state-sponsored violence. Blending performance with observational approaches and ethnography, this documentary provides a glimpse into Indigenous rural Mexico at the intersection between ecocide, narcolabour and enforced disappearance. Length: 25 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Victor Arroyo:
<ECUADOR>
Quimsacocha - This short documentary tells the story of two indigenous locals of Quimsacocha in Ecuador, struggling to protect their land from large corporate Canadian mining companies. Length: 8.13 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Émilie Martel:
“I want non-indigenous people to be aware of how these mining companies are affecting people’s lives. And maybe, this will also make them sensitive in researching their own finances. Are they currently investing in mining stocks? If they are, do they know that this is affecting these local peoples? Do they know how much harm their investments are causing?”
<BRAZIL>
Timbó - Construction of dams by energy companies in the Brazilian Amazon would destroy the heart of the world's largest rainforest, and severely affect the community of the indigenous people in the area. If built, the dams would flood an area the size of London, Paris and Amsterdam combined. The flood would also cause a large amount of toxic plants to dissolve in the water, leading to severe poisoning or even death among the local tribes. These plants are commonly known as Timbó. Length: 9 minutes. Director Peiman Zekavat:
“Documentaries are powerful cultural tools that could lead to change or at the very least, raise the level of contemporary consciousness. The Amazon is a home to more plants and animals than any other place on earth. At the same time, more than 400 indigenous tribes inhabit the Amazon, and their traditional and cultural beliefs have existed for centuries. Unfortunately, there are major issues threatening the lungs of our planet, and we only came across one of them while making this film. ”
Kuyujani Envenenado (Poisoning Kuyujani) - Ecological mining does not exist. "To see things as they are, you must change your eyes" Ye'kwana Mythology. Length: 1 hour 28 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Alexandra Henao:
“You must see it because the film can shed light on the crisis that is currently occurring in the Amazon and the political situation in Venezuela.”
The River of the Kukamas (El Río de los Kukamas) - Being born from the Spirit of the river, Kukama people have a special connection with the water. The river shrinks and grows throughout the year, affecting the lives of its citizens. Filmed at its widest state at the end of the rain season, we learn the cosmology of this disappearing culture in Peru. Length: 7:16 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer Nika Belianina:
“The film takes you into a unique and a calm place and tells you a story of people you probably knew nothing about. Wouldn’t you want to watch something like this?”
<PERU>
Urpi: Her Last Wish - Urpi travels to the sacred valley of the Incas in the Peruvian Andes to fulfil a promise to her grandmother. She meets Sayri, an indigenous Quechua young man, who offers his motorcycle for a journey that will challenge her understanding of her identity. Length: 17:07 minutes. Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Sisa Quispe:
“This film explores the complexity of identity, particularly the indigenous identity — which has had to survive through time and against various attempts of genocide. I believe we all have roots to reconnect with.”
<MONGOLIA>
Baigal Nuur - Lake Baikal - The formation of Lake Baikal in Siberia was reimagined, featuring the voice of an Indigenous woman who can still recall some words in her endangered language. Length: 8:56 minutes. Director/Producer/Animator Alisi Telengut:
“Indigenous people share a profound connection with the land they inhabit, and I have always been interested in exploring the subject of the human-nature relationship. Lake Baikal, situated in Siberia across the northern border of Mongolia, is not only the world’s oldest but also the deepest freshwater lake. The film features the voice of an Indigenous woman who can still recall some words in her endangered language, Buryat (a Mongolian dialect).”