On Sacred Ground

This film carefully and respectfully explains the issues surrounding the construction of an oil pipeline across Sioux Tribal Lands. The characters are acted in such manner to be worthy of our attention to their individual viewpoints and life circumstances. There is more than a documentary here because the moral struggle of persons deciding for themselves what to believe and how to act is always compelling. This is no black and white depiction of good guys or bad guys in this film since everyone intends good things to result from the pipeline. But good is a relative concept, depending upon one's priorities, as is well illustrated by this film with its excellent and diverse cast members.

Supposedly a "drama", but it is nothing more than a cheaply produced television movie, which somehow is being "upped" to becoming a feature movie, which it simply is not.

The bad: you'll recognize the look and feel of a cheaply made television movie:

1 Lots of mediocre B-actors, acting below par

2 Cheap looking technical details (run of the mill photography and sound)

3 A total lack of a coherent storyline that engages me

4 Annoying from start till finish

I could go on and on about this supposedly "drama", but it simply isnt anything near dramatic. It's a mess.

Too bad, this movie turned out to be a complete dud, because this subject of oil exploration and it's enviromental and societal effects do deserve a better movie.

On Sacred Ground is more than just a story about an oil pipeline encroaching native land. Josh and Rebecca Tickell have once again used their platform in film to give voices to those who are struggling. Army veteran, Daniel McKinney, portrayed by William Mapother, exemplifies the struggles U. S. veterans face when they return home from deployment. The trauma they experience overseas is often overlooked and unfortunately mental health programs are not prioritized enough. The Tickell's also made sure to acknowledge the injustice that Indigenous women face. This is a topic that I personally have not seen talked about on screen before. This movie intellectually challenges you with its various perspectives of a controversial societal issue. It's an emotional and moving watch that I recommend seeing as soon as possible!

Josh and Rebecca TIckell's "On Sacred Ground" is a captivating narrative take on the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline events. The story follows Dan (William Mapother) an ex-military journalist who has now began a life of freelance journalism to financially support his pregnant wife. He is faced with a choice, after receiving a mysterious call, heeding him to travel to North Dakota and write a story about the DAPL in a positive light for a handsome reward. He must choose between compromising his morality or acting on what he believes is right.

"On Sacred on Ground" offers audiences a story full of relevant commentary on matters of mental health and injustice against First Nations. The Tickells powerfully tackle themes of PTSD and police brutality against the Sioux by showing Dan experiencing episodes as he sees the First Nations being attacked as they stand up for their territory. As a viewer, I experienced the film in a very visceral way that shook me in a way that felt expansive. The film's stunning cinematography further immersed me into the story, setting a tone for the film that communicated the protagonist's troubled state of mind.

This is a film on one of humanity's greatest challenges; remaining true to who we are or compromising our humanity for perceived benefit.

I will just agree with most of the positive reviews of this movie, but I wanted to set one fact straight.

When they show scenes of the "authorities" spraying water on the protesters, it was actually about -40F at the time. The water would have literally frozen in mid air as it hit the protestors. And when it did hit them it would have been instant hypothermia.

And if you think that the US isn't a police state, you are wrong.

These protestors would brutalized. I hope that the perpetrators got the maximum sentence allowed.

I will just agree with most of the positive reviews of this movie, but I wanted to set one fact straight.

When they show scenes of the "authorities" spraying water on the protesters, it was actually about -40F at the time. The water would have literally frozen in mid air as it hit the protestors. And when it did hit them it would have been instant hypothermia.

And if you think that the US isn't a police state, you are wrong.

These protestors would brutalized. I hope that the perpetrators got the maximum sentence allowed.