Watch Marie's Dictionary

Marie's Dictionary, released in 2015, is a heartwarming and inspiring documentary about the life and language of Marie Wilcox, a member of the Native American tribe, the Wukchumni, and her efforts to preserve their dying language. The film follows the life of Marie Wilcox, an 86-year-old Wukchumni elder living in the San Joaquin Valley of California. She is the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language, an endangered language that was once spoken by members of her tribe for generations. Marie realizes that the language she grew up with is on the verge of extinction as none of the younger generations of her tribe can speak it fluently. This realization leads her to embark on a mission to preserve the language for future generations.

The documentary takes us on a journey through Marie's life, the struggles she faced as a Native American, the cultural heritage that has been passed down to her, and the importance of the Wukchumni language to her and her people. Through this, we get a glimpse into the traditions, customs, beliefs, and values that the Wukchumni have shared through their language for centuries.

We are introduced to Marie's family, her children, and her grandchildren, who are all deeply proud of their heritage and supportive of their grandmother's determination to preserve the Wukchumni language. The film also showcases the efforts of linguists and scholars who are working with Marie to document and record the language before it is lost forever.

One of the remarkable things about the documentary is the way in which it highlights the struggles and triumphs of Marie's efforts to preserve the language. We see her working tirelessly to create a dictionary, translating words and phrases that have not been used in decades. We watch as she teaches the language to her grandchildren and anyone else who is interested in learning. And we witness the joy and pride she feels as she sees the language being used once again.

The film is also a tribute to Marie's character and resilience. Despite facing extreme poverty and hardships in her life, she remains determined to preserve the language and pass on the traditions of her people. Her unwavering commitment to her culture is an inspiration to all who watch the documentary.

Apart from Marie's personal story, the film also sheds light on the plight of indigenous languages all over the world. Today, many of these languages are in danger of disappearing forever, as younger generations adopt more dominant languages. Marie's Dictionary serves as a timely reminder of the need to preserve and celebrate these unique languages and the cultures they represent.

The film is beautifully shot, capturing the stunning landscapes of the San Joaquin Valley, and the intimate moments of Marie's daily life with her family. The use of archival footage and photographs adds depth and perspective to Marie's story, providing historical context and a sense of continuity.

Overall, Marie's Dictionary is a moving and inspiring documentary that highlights the importance of cultural heritage and the urgent need to preserve endangered languages. It is a tribute to the life and legacy of Marie Wilcox, a truly remarkable woman, and a testament to the power of language to connect us to our past and shape our future.

Marie's Dictionary is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.9.