Trudell,
directed by Heather Rae (Cherokee) and funded by NAPT, made its world premiere
at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Trudell was among 16 films selected
for the Documentary competition. Combing beautiful imagery with music and
interviews, Trudell tells the life story of John Trudell; from his time as
an Indian activist, through tragedy to his rebirth as a poet and musician.
An eloquent and charismatic speaker, Trudell was a strong voice of the American
Indian Movement and one of the leaders of the occupation of Alcatraz in 1969.
The making of Trudell has been a long journey, involving 12 years of traveling, filming and collaborating. Rae first approached John Trudell in 1992 after hearing him speak at a coffee shop in California. Competing against well-established producers, Rae’s vision for the story ultimately won the activist/artist’s support and he chose her to document his story. The end product is a beautiful, inspiring work that relives the tumultuous 1970s American Indian Movement but also resonates with the contemporary issue of degradation of the environment, an issue Trudell brings up time and again in his sage-like storytelling.
This is Rae’s feature-film debut. After working for 15 years in the fast-paced Los Angeles film industry, she has returned to her home state of Idaho with her husband and children, reconnecting with her rural and Native roots. NAPT has submitted Trudell to be included in the PBS series, Independent Lens next year. For updates on Trudell and its PBS premiere, visit our website: www.nativetelecom.org.