Trudell

Watch Trudell

"Original. Provocative. True."
  • NR
  • 2005
  • 1 hr 18 min
  • 7.4  (506)
  • 48

Trudell is a powerful and emotional documentary film released in 2005 which tells the story of the life of Native American activist and poet John Trudell. The film is directed by Heather Rae and features appearances by several well-known actors, including Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, and Sam Shepard. The story of Trudell is both deeply personal and politically driven. The film begins with footage of Trudell's life before he became involved in activism, including scenes from his childhood and his time serving in the Vietnam War. However, the focus quickly shifts to Trudell's role in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and his activism on behalf of Native American rights.

Throughout the film, Trudell speaks passionately about the struggles faced by Native Americans, including issues of land theft, institutionalized racism, and cultural erasure. He discusses the forced assimilation that many Native children experienced in boarding schools and the devastating effects of alcoholism and drug addiction on Native communities.

Trudell's activism is not limited to political advocacy, however. He is also an accomplished poet and musician, and the film features several performances of his work. These pieces are both beautiful and haunting, speaking to the pain and resilience of the Native American experience.

The documentary is also notable for its use of archival footage and interviews with several prominent activists and thinkers. We hear from Vine Deloria Jr., an influential Native American author and activist, as well as Dennis Banks, one of the founders of AIM. These voices provide context for Trudell's work and help to situate him within a broader movement for social justice.

Throughout the film, Trudell's personal life is also explored in depth. We learn about the tragic events that led to his involvement in activism: the murder of his wife and children in a suspicious house fire on a South Dakota reservation. Trudell speaks candidly about the pain of this loss and how it led him to devote his life to fighting for justice.

The film also follows Trudell in his later years, as he continues to advocate for Native American rights and grapples with his own mortality. He shares his reflections on life, death, and the importance of living with purpose and integrity.

Trudell is a deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on one of the most important voices in the Native American rights movement. The film does an excellent job of showing the intersection between personal experience and political activism, and it draws attention to many of the ongoing struggles faced by Native communities in the United States.

Overall, Trudell is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in social justice, Native American history and culture, or the power of art to speak truth to power. It is a powerful reminder of the injustices that continue to be faced by marginalized communities in the US and a testament to the resilience and strength of those who continue to fight for change.

Trudell is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 48.

Trudell
Description
Where to Watch Trudell
Trudell is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and YouTube VOD. Some platforms allow you to rent Trudell for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2005
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 18 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (506)
  • Metascore
    48
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