In Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli’s nearly two-hour documentary, Lakota Nation vs. United States, the filmmaking duo captures the history, present and future hopes of the indigenous peoples of the Dakotas through a singular issue: land.
That issue, according to the film written and narrated by Layli Long Soldier, is at the core of practically every other Indigenous struggle since the beginnings of European, and then American, colonization. Facing down wave after wave of manifest destiny-fueled violence, the Lakota, other members of the Sioux Nation and various Native communities beyond the Black Hills have persisted, even when their cultural symbols have been carved up, their language stripped, their people assaulted, and the ever-shrinking land poisoned.
Respect for the land treaties that followed the Commerce Act of 1886, the film suggests, was tantamount to staving off the kind of extermination attempts that Indigenous communities — once recognized by the U.S.
That issue, according to the film written and narrated by Layli Long Soldier, is at the core of practically every other Indigenous struggle since the beginnings of European, and then American, colonization. Facing down wave after wave of manifest destiny-fueled violence, the Lakota, other members of the Sioux Nation and various Native communities beyond the Black Hills have persisted, even when their cultural symbols have been carved up, their language stripped, their people assaulted, and the ever-shrinking land poisoned.
Respect for the land treaties that followed the Commerce Act of 1886, the film suggests, was tantamount to staving off the kind of extermination attempts that Indigenous communities — once recognized by the U.S.
- 12/13/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IFC Films has acquired Xavier Gens’ action spectacle “Mayhem!” (“Farang”) from Studiocanal ahead of its premiere at Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival.
Produced by Vincent Roget (Same Player) and Dimitri Stephanides (WTFilms), “Mayhem!” will be released in 2024.
“Xavier Gens has crafted an energetic and propulsive film, showcasing some of the most impressive fight choreography we have ever seen,” said Scott Shooman, head of AMC Networks’ Film Group.
“While winking at films like ‘The Raid’ and ‘Taken,’ Xavier has made a film which stands on its own as an iconic new member of the hand-to-hand action canon. We are thrilled to be working with the immensely talented team to bring this riveting story to theaters,” he added.
Shot in France and Thailand, “Mayhem!” stars Nassim Lyes as Sam. When he gets out of prison, he finds it difficult to escape the reach of a local gang lord. He heads to Thailand,...
Produced by Vincent Roget (Same Player) and Dimitri Stephanides (WTFilms), “Mayhem!” will be released in 2024.
“Xavier Gens has crafted an energetic and propulsive film, showcasing some of the most impressive fight choreography we have ever seen,” said Scott Shooman, head of AMC Networks’ Film Group.
“While winking at films like ‘The Raid’ and ‘Taken,’ Xavier has made a film which stands on its own as an iconic new member of the hand-to-hand action canon. We are thrilled to be working with the immensely talented team to bring this riveting story to theaters,” he added.
Shot in France and Thailand, “Mayhem!” stars Nassim Lyes as Sam. When he gets out of prison, he finds it difficult to escape the reach of a local gang lord. He heads to Thailand,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The new documentary Lakota Nation vs. United States chronicles the Lakota people’s struggle to reclaim the Black Hills, the Native American tribe’s sacred land that was stolen away from them by the U.S. government, who violated a series of treaty agreements with them — including the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which was supposed to ban white settlement on the Black Hills. Then gold was discovered there, and all hell broke loose.
Directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, and produced by Sarah Eagle Heart, Mark Ruffalo, and Marisa Tomei,...
Directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, and produced by Sarah Eagle Heart, Mark Ruffalo, and Marisa Tomei,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
IFC Films is acquiring North American rights to “Lakota Nation vs. United States,” a documentary about the Lakota Indians’ quest to reclaim the Black Hills. That sacred land was stolen in violation of treaty agreements, and the film, from directors Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, looks at the many ways that the U.S. has ignored, overlooked and failed to grapple with the historical wrongs done to Indigenous communities.
“Lakota Nation vs. United States” is narrated by and features the poetry of acclaimed Ogala Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier, winner of the National Books Critics Circle award and finalist for the National Book Award. The score is composed by Raven Chacon, recipient of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for “Voiceless Mass,” and director of photography is Kevin Phillips (“Super Dark Times”). The Lakota activists featured in the film include Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, two organizers of today’s Landback movement,...
“Lakota Nation vs. United States” is narrated by and features the poetry of acclaimed Ogala Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier, winner of the National Books Critics Circle award and finalist for the National Book Award. The score is composed by Raven Chacon, recipient of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for “Voiceless Mass,” and director of photography is Kevin Phillips (“Super Dark Times”). The Lakota activists featured in the film include Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, two organizers of today’s Landback movement,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, better known for his role as The Hulk, has signed on to executive produce an upcoming docuseries that explores the fight against systemic injustice for Native communities.
“Natives” aims to highlight the ground-breaking achievements of Indigenous activists and allies in what Ruffalo coins as “The Native Century” — an era in which younger and older generations of Natives can better get in touch with their cultural heritage.
Ruffalo is a three-time Oscar nominee and two-time Emmy winner for performances in works like the 2015 film “Spotlight” and 2020 miniseries “I Know This Much Is True.” Earlier this year, he executive produced the documentary “Lakota Nation vs. United States,” which exposes the exploitation of Native people by virtue of colonization from the late 1400s to modern day.
Working alongside Ruffalo are executive producers Sean Flax, Margaret Riley, Sarah Eagle Heart and showrunner David Check. Produced by Check Point Productions,...
“Natives” aims to highlight the ground-breaking achievements of Indigenous activists and allies in what Ruffalo coins as “The Native Century” — an era in which younger and older generations of Natives can better get in touch with their cultural heritage.
Ruffalo is a three-time Oscar nominee and two-time Emmy winner for performances in works like the 2015 film “Spotlight” and 2020 miniseries “I Know This Much Is True.” Earlier this year, he executive produced the documentary “Lakota Nation vs. United States,” which exposes the exploitation of Native people by virtue of colonization from the late 1400s to modern day.
Working alongside Ruffalo are executive producers Sean Flax, Margaret Riley, Sarah Eagle Heart and showrunner David Check. Produced by Check Point Productions,...
- 10/11/2022
- by Katie Reul and EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Marvel star Mark Ruffalo is to exec produce a feature-length documentary about Lakota Indians’ quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was stolen in violation of treaty agreements.
The I Know This Much Is True actor has teamed up with director Jesse Short Bull, co-director Laura Tomaselli and producer Benjamin Hedin, who both worked on MLK/FBI and exec producer Sarah Eagle Heart on Lakota Nation vs. the United States.
The doc, which is currently in production with Xtr with Kathryn Everett and Bryn Mooser also exec producing, is the first film to amplify the tragic history of the land claim. It features interviews with a number of Indigenous citizens, many central to the effort to regain control of the Black Hills land that stretches across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.
It features the likes of Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, activists and founders of the #landback movement in South Dakota.
The I Know This Much Is True actor has teamed up with director Jesse Short Bull, co-director Laura Tomaselli and producer Benjamin Hedin, who both worked on MLK/FBI and exec producer Sarah Eagle Heart on Lakota Nation vs. the United States.
The doc, which is currently in production with Xtr with Kathryn Everett and Bryn Mooser also exec producing, is the first film to amplify the tragic history of the land claim. It features interviews with a number of Indigenous citizens, many central to the effort to regain control of the Black Hills land that stretches across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.
It features the likes of Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, activists and founders of the #landback movement in South Dakota.
- 9/21/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Documentary studio Xtr is in production on “Lakota Nation vs. United States,” the first film to chronicle the Lakota Indians’ fight to reclaim control of the Black Hills. Oglala Sioux Jesse Short Bull and “MLK/FBI” editor Laura Tomaselli direct the feature documentary, with Benjamin Hedin producing.
“Lakota Nation vs. United States” will investigate how the sacred land was stolen in violation of treaty agreements and feature interviews with Indigenous citizens.
The film is executive produced by Mark Ruffalo, author and activist Sarah Eagle Heart, Kathryn Everett and Bryn Mooser from Xtr. Sales will be handled by Cinetic Media, who are also working on the film’s financing.
Short Bull is a 2016 Sundance Institute Native American and Indigenous Program Development Grant recipient and a board member of the Black Hills Film Festival. Interview subjects include Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, activists who founded South Dakota’s #landback movement.
“It...
“Lakota Nation vs. United States” will investigate how the sacred land was stolen in violation of treaty agreements and feature interviews with Indigenous citizens.
The film is executive produced by Mark Ruffalo, author and activist Sarah Eagle Heart, Kathryn Everett and Bryn Mooser from Xtr. Sales will be handled by Cinetic Media, who are also working on the film’s financing.
Short Bull is a 2016 Sundance Institute Native American and Indigenous Program Development Grant recipient and a board member of the Black Hills Film Festival. Interview subjects include Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, activists who founded South Dakota’s #landback movement.
“It...
- 9/21/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
The Annie Awards, recognizing a need to celebrate all the animated content being made these days in virtual reality, has created a category this year to honor that work.
Until now, Vr content had to create a 2D version and, in some cases, play in theaters, in order to become eligible for awards recognition, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. So Asifa-Hollywood, the organization behind the Annies, set up a Vr lab at the Burbank HQ so that judges could view the content as it was meant to be seen.
“A flat version of Vr is one thing,” Asifa-Hollywood exec director Frank Gladstone notes. “Vr itself is something different.” Making sure the judges saw the content as it was meant to be seen was paramount. “It should be seen the way it was produced,” he says.
The setup at the Asifa-Hollywood offices was costly. “It’s a big expense,...
Until now, Vr content had to create a 2D version and, in some cases, play in theaters, in order to become eligible for awards recognition, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. So Asifa-Hollywood, the organization behind the Annies, set up a Vr lab at the Burbank HQ so that judges could view the content as it was meant to be seen.
“A flat version of Vr is one thing,” Asifa-Hollywood exec director Frank Gladstone notes. “Vr itself is something different.” Making sure the judges saw the content as it was meant to be seen was paramount. “It should be seen the way it was produced,” he says.
The setup at the Asifa-Hollywood offices was costly. “It’s a big expense,...
- 1/30/2019
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
John Legend earned the title of Egot in September with his Emmy win for “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” and now he’s hoping to add an Annie Award to that and become an Egoat.
The singer is executive producer and voice star of “The Crow: The Legend,” a new animated film following the Native American story about the bird’s cultural genesis. He also wrote the film’s original song, “When You Can Fly.”
The movie received an Annie Awards nomination — the top prizes given out in the field of animation — this week for Best Virtual Reality Production.
Also Read: Macy's Digs Up Chrissy Teigen's Old Parade Diss as John Legend Joins Float
“A lot of time my work in film and television involves me collaborating with a writer and director and figuring out with another creative person how we can interact and make something special together,...
The singer is executive producer and voice star of “The Crow: The Legend,” a new animated film following the Native American story about the bird’s cultural genesis. He also wrote the film’s original song, “When You Can Fly.”
The movie received an Annie Awards nomination — the top prizes given out in the field of animation — this week for Best Virtual Reality Production.
Also Read: Macy's Digs Up Chrissy Teigen's Old Parade Diss as John Legend Joins Float
“A lot of time my work in film and television involves me collaborating with a writer and director and figuring out with another creative person how we can interact and make something special together,...
- 12/7/2018
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Oculus Studios has teamed with Baobab Studios for a bold Vr experience for their animated feature Crow: The Legend which features the voices of John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Constance Wu, and Diego Luna. The experience is set to launch next week on Oculus Rift and Oculus Go next week.
Crow: The Legend is a Native American origin story that follows the titular Crow (voiced by Legend), who, because of his vibrant colors and beautiful voice, is the most popular and admired animal in the forest. When the first winter arrives, the forest becomes a different place and Crow must decide if he wants to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends.
The experience, which is Oculus’ most ambitious project to date, gives you an active role to play as the story unfolds around you. You are born “The Spirit of the Seasons,” with the power to impact the weather and environment using Touch controllers.
Crow: The Legend is a Native American origin story that follows the titular Crow (voiced by Legend), who, because of his vibrant colors and beautiful voice, is the most popular and admired animal in the forest. When the first winter arrives, the forest becomes a different place and Crow must decide if he wants to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends.
The experience, which is Oculus’ most ambitious project to date, gives you an active role to play as the story unfolds around you. You are born “The Spirit of the Seasons,” with the power to impact the weather and environment using Touch controllers.
- 11/15/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
John Legend and Oprah Winfrey are joining forces for a moving animated film Crow: The Legend.
In a People exclusive clip the singer, 39, stars as Crow, the most beautiful animal in the forest who risks everything to save those around him from an everlasting winter.
Crow seeks The One Who Creates Everything by Thinking, played by Winfrey, to reverse the cold and bring warmth to his community.
When Crow finally finds The One, he sees that she is encased in a glass home in a comatose state. In an effort to wake her up he sings to her and manages...
In a People exclusive clip the singer, 39, stars as Crow, the most beautiful animal in the forest who risks everything to save those around him from an everlasting winter.
Crow seeks The One Who Creates Everything by Thinking, played by Winfrey, to reverse the cold and bring warmth to his community.
When Crow finally finds The One, he sees that she is encased in a glass home in a comatose state. In an effort to wake her up he sings to her and manages...
- 11/13/2018
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
YouTube megastar Liza Koshy -- who actually hasn’t posted a self-produced video to her flagship channel in roughly eight months (clearly in lieu of more ambitious pursuits) -- is lending her vocal talents to an upcoming animated short inspired by an age-old Native American folktale.
Crow: The Legend is produced by Baobab Studios, a virtual reality animation studio, and will drop on YouTube and Oculus Vr for free this Thursday. And Koshy, who has collaborated with mainstream stars like Will Smith and Alicia Keys in recent months, will be in illustrious company. Crow will feature the voices of John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Constance Wu (of Crazy Rich Asians fame), Tye Sheridan (Ready Player One), and Diego Luna.
In the film, John Legend plays the titular crow -- the most popular animal in the forest. However, when winter arrives, he must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends. Koshy will play an owl.
Crow: The Legend is produced by Baobab Studios, a virtual reality animation studio, and will drop on YouTube and Oculus Vr for free this Thursday. And Koshy, who has collaborated with mainstream stars like Will Smith and Alicia Keys in recent months, will be in illustrious company. Crow will feature the voices of John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Constance Wu (of Crazy Rich Asians fame), Tye Sheridan (Ready Player One), and Diego Luna.
In the film, John Legend plays the titular crow -- the most popular animal in the forest. However, when winter arrives, he must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends. Koshy will play an owl.
- 11/13/2018
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Vr content creator Baobab Studios has created a 2D-animated version of its Vr short “Crow: The Legend,” which has been playing as a Vr experience at various festivals around the world this year. It’s currently playing at the Venice Film Festival.
The project is inspired by a Native American tale about the origin of the crow, who was once the most beautiful creature in the forest. He must sacrifice everything he believes matters in order to make the world a better place.
Part one of the Vr version premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, but the full 22-minute experience is now playing at Venice. It boasts a star-studded voice cast, including John Legend (who also executive produces), Oprah Winfrey, “Crazy Rich Asians” star Constance Wu, Tye Sheridan, Diego Luna and Liza Koshy as well as Native American actors and activists Sarah Eagle Heart and Randy Edmonds.
The...
The project is inspired by a Native American tale about the origin of the crow, who was once the most beautiful creature in the forest. He must sacrifice everything he believes matters in order to make the world a better place.
Part one of the Vr version premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, but the full 22-minute experience is now playing at Venice. It boasts a star-studded voice cast, including John Legend (who also executive produces), Oprah Winfrey, “Crazy Rich Asians” star Constance Wu, Tye Sheridan, Diego Luna and Liza Koshy as well as Native American actors and activists Sarah Eagle Heart and Randy Edmonds.
The...
- 8/30/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
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