DIRECTED BY JESSE SHORT BULL & LAURA TOMASELLI FEATURING THE POETRY OF LAYLI LONG SOLDIER EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY JODI ARCHAMBAULT, KEVIN KILLER, SARAH EAGLE HEART & MARK RUFFALO
Featuring: Nick Tilsen, Phyllis Young, Milo Yellow Hair, Nick Estes, Krystal Two Bulls, HenryRed Cloud, Candi Brings Plenty, Alex Romero-Frederick, Craig Howe, Mary Kathryn Nagle
The Event is Presented by XTR, Bia Echo, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and NOFORM as Part of Circle Cinema’s Native Spotlight Series
See the powerful new documentary “Lakota Nation VS. United States” for free at Circle Cinema on Thursday, June 29 presented by XTR and IFC Films, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and NOFORM. The free community screening begins at 5:30pm with a catered reception followed by the movie at 7:00pm with a filmmaker and special guest Q&A. All admission is free with tickets available online at https://lakotanation-tulsa.eventbrite.com. Ticket RSVPs are mandatory as seating is limited. The event is part of Circle Cinema’s Native Spotlight Series sponsored by the Flint Family Foundation. The screening is at Circle Cinema, located at 10 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa OK 74104. IFC Films will release LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES exclusively in theaters beginning July 14th followed by a national rollout.
Synopsis: It is the most sacred place on earth, the birthplace of the Lakota that has shaped thought, identity and philosophy for the Očéti Šakówiŋ since time immemorial--the life-giving land known as the Black Hills. Yet with the arrival of the first Europeans in 1492, the sacred land has been the site of conflict between the people it has nurtured and the settler state seeking to exploit and redefine it in its own image. This powerful new documentary is a searing testament to the strength of the Oyate and a visually stunning rejoinder to the distorted image of a people long-shaped by Hollywood. "Lakota Nation vs. United States" is a lyrical and provocative testament to a land and a people who have survived removal, exploitation and genocide--and whose best days are yet to come.
Special guests including filmmakers, cast members, and local activists will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film. A full list of special guests will be available soon at CircleCinema.org.
“The Native Spotlight Series showcases the diverse variety of the Native American and Indigenous experience through film,” said Chuck Foxen, Circle Cinema Deputy Director and Programmer. “We’re thankful to our partners at the Flint Family Foundation, XTR, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and NOFORM for providing an opportunity for Tulsa to see this incredibly relevant film for free.”
“Lakota Nation vs United States is one of the most important stories of our time because it is not only the story of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota–it is the story of all Indigenous peoples across the globe who are fighting to protect their sacred lands for the benefit of future generations," said Amber Morning Star Byars, Impact Producer at XTR. "Tulsa, located in the heart of Indian Territory, is the perfect place to screen this film given its history of black and brown resistance and resilience. XTR is grateful to Circle Cinema, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, NOFORM, and the Flint Foundation for helping us bring this very impactful film to the Tulsa community.”
About XTR: XTR is a premium global nonfiction entertainment studio. With a focus on audience appeal and a commitment to artistry, the award-winning studio works with outstanding creators to produce, distribute, finance, and develop films, series, and podcasts. XTR has a world-class production facility, XTR Studios, on the Eastside of Los Angeles that includes production and post-production facilities, a sound stage, and recording studio. Since its inception in 2019, XTR has produced and financed over 80 documentaries, including “They Call Me Magic,” on AppleTV+; MTV Documentary Films’ Oscar-nominated “Ascension”; and the Emmy and Peabody award-winning “76 Days.” In 2021, XTR launched DOCUMENTARY+, an AVOD platform and FAST channel that brings the best in nonfiction film and television to over 80 million households in the US and nearly every country globally. XTR - based on a true story.
About NOFORM: NOFORM is a new Tulsa-based collective of film programmers and filmmakers committed to sharing cutting-edge stories from underserved voices. NoForm’s aim is to elevate awareness by meaningful visionaries through programming and grants that offer economic opportunities and growth in the arts.About Tulsa Artist Fellowship: With the belief that arts are critical to the advancement of cultural citizenship, Tulsa Artist Fellowship supports artists and arts workers in the heart of Oklahoma’s Green Country. Socially invested artistic practitioners live and work here, intentionally engaging with our city. Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) cultural initiative.
About Circle Cinema: Circle Cinema is Tulsa’s only independent, nonprofit, arthouse theater. Celebrating its 95th anniversary in 2023, Circle Cinema originally opened in 1928 and is now the last of Tulsa’s classic movie houses still in operation. Circle Cinema screens films 365 days a year, located at 10 S. Lewis Ave in Tulsa on the historic alignment of Route 66. Circle Cinema elevates the film experience through guest speakers, art gallery exhibits, free educational screenings, and other special events. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are invested back into Circle Cinema’s mission to expand community consciousness through film. More information is available at CircleCinema.org or by phone at (918)585-3456.
About Bia Echo: Bia-Echo Foundation is a private foundation, founded by Nicole Shanahan, that aims to accelerate social change in order to establish a fair and equitable society for future generations to thrive. We invest in changemakers at the forefront of innovation who are tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges within our core areas of investment: Reproductive Longevity & Equality, Criminal Justice Reform and a Healthy and Livable Planet.
