Lakota Nation vs. United States
World Premiere

Lakota Nation vs. United States

Documentary Competition
Feature | United States | 120 MINUTES | English
Documentary

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. Beginning with the Indian Wars of the 1800s, which saw the U.S. Army continually on the losing-end against Sioux and Arapaho warriors, and leading to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 -- one of many broken treaties separating the Oyate from their land -- the Black Hills have witnessed a greed-driven gold rush, the systematic erasure of its original inhabitants, and the creation of a most ironic shrine to white supremacy, Mount Rushmore. 

Written and narrated by acclaimed Oglala poet Layli Long Soldier and co-directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, 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. Using a treasure trove of rich archival material, electrifying on-the-ground footage and intimate interviews with veteran activists and young leaders such as NDN Collective founder Krystal Two Bulls and activist Candi Brings Plenty, Lakota Nation V 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. —Cedar Sherbert


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli

Jesse Short Bull wrote and produced Istinma, a film set in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and shot in the Lakota language. Laura Tomaselli, a filmmaker whose credits span several narrative, documentary, and commercial projects, was honored with a Cinema Eye Award Nomination for her work on MLK/FBI.

Director
Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli
Producer
Benjamin Hedin
Screenwriter
Layli Long Soldier
Cinematographer
Kevin Phillips
Editor
Laura Tomaselli
Composer
Raven Chacon
Executive Producer
Sarah Eagle Heart, Mark Ruffalo, Bryn Mooser, Kathryn Everett, Salman Al-Rashid, Sam Frohman
Associate Producer
Willi White
Co-Producer
Phil Pinto
Cast
Nick Tilsen, Phyllis Young, Candi Brings Plenty, Krystal Two Bulls, Nick Estes, Henry Red Cloud

Contacts
US Sales Contact
Jason Ishikawa
Cinetic Media
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212 204 7979
jason@cineticmedia.com
International Sales Contact
Jason Ishikawa
Cinetic Media
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212 204 7979
jason@cineticmedia.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

Newsletter

Subscribe for festival news, exclusive offers, programming updates, and more!
Get Festival Updates

Tribeca Festival Partners

Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Supporters
Presenting Partner
Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Industry Partners
See all partners