User reviews

John Trudell is such a charismatic man, with such a dramatic adult life story and articulate passion in word and song that the documentary "Trudell" is fascinating despite the frustrating limitations in the film.

While Trudell's early biography is very briefly covered in the first five minutes, the writing/directing team of Russell Friedenberg and Heather Rae are at their best throughout in uncovering a broad range of period news coverage, video and film, from U.S. and international sources, home collections, and more, from news events to interviews to rallies to performances.

While the bare, contextual historical documentation of the 1960's and 1970's was probably limited by the budget, as it includes many stock stereotyped shots, including old Hollywood images of Indians, what comes across strongly is how consistent Trudell has been throughout his life as a forceful spokesman for Native American rights and related environmental stewardship. How many baby boomers or older could appear next to old footage of themselves and appear so consistent, visually and politically and still an activist?

As someone who became more aware of Trudell's contributions through his music (and I still haven't seen either Michael Apted's documentary "Incident at Oglala", which is excerpted in this film, or his fictionalized adaptation "Thunderheart" in which Trudell also appeared and its star Val Kilmer is quoted here), the film is very frustrating in passing over his art, except as therapy in getting over politically tainted tragedies. The film particularly neglects how his songs extend beyond narrow issues to the broader culture, such as his classic "Baby Boom Che" which metaphorizes enlisting in Elvis's Army, an influence that does not come across in the film. We only see a verse or two of mostly political songs, as well as a lovely romantic remembrance of his late wife and not even one full concert performance, some with annoying music video pretensions. We get more banal, predictable endorsements from musicians like Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and an Indigo Girl than actually hearing his music. His combination of rock with native cultural percussion and vocalization is covered, though not how this has influenced the growing bands of rez rockers. The closing song over the credits is Kris Kristofferson's song about Trudell.

What we do get extensively is Trudell's overarching philosophy. While he is eloquent, he does talk in whole paragraphs, so I can understand why artsy images are inserted during his long monologues. The last time I heard a similar brilliant environmentalist speak so extensively extemporaneously with such a three-dimensional ideology that encompassed everything was R. Buckminster Fuller who could also talk for hours at a time.

The more recent biographical elements of a healing life and second family in Canada were very confusing factually, as I wasn't clear of the relation of some of the family members interviewed.

I would have liked for the film to include Native American issues in the post-casino corruption world. The film does include natural resources exploitation issues and we get some hints of conservative tribal elders vs. activists but not much.

I wasn't able to get in to see the film at the Tribeca Film Festival, so appreciated being among the few at a matinée screening during its one week commercial run in NYC.

A portrait of a fascinating man, John Trudell, a Native American intellectual, activist, radical political theorist, poet, and musician. Searing in his honesty, fiery as an orator, profound as an artist, and brave as hell as a protestor - which made him very dangerous to the U.S. government. I really wonder about whether his first wife and children were murdered because of it. The documentary is not perfect, needing a little more structure and depth, but it's inspiring nonetheless.

In Trudell's own words:

"The great lie is that it is civilization. It's not civilized. It has been, literally, the most bloodthirsty, brutalizing system ever imposed upon this planet. That is not civilization. That's the great lie, is that it represents civilization. That's the great lie, or if it does represent civilization and it's what civilization is, then the great lie is that civilization is good for us.

"To God: I hope you don't mind, but I would like to talk to you. There are some things we need to straighten out. It's about these Christians. They claim to be from your nation, but man, you should see something of the things they do, all of the time blaming it on you. Raping the Earth, lying, taking more than they need in all of the forms of greed. They say it's God's will. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you know how it is. My people have their own ways. We never even heard of you until not long ago. Your representative spoke magnificent things of you, which we were willing to believe, but from the way they acted, we know you and we were being deceived. It is time for you to decide, what life is worth. We already remember, but maybe you forgot."

"I burned the American flag in protest of the way the American government treats the indigenous Indian people in the United States of America. I burned the American flag as an act of protest against the injustice against all of the people. We burned the American flag because it has been desecrated, and the only proper way to dispose of the American flag after desecration is to burn it. We feel that racism and sexism and class separation - that these are desecrations, and we feel that the American flag does not represent integrity, honor, justice, or truth."

"The nuclear war that is being waged on the people in the western hemisphere does not just happen and occur after the uranium has been made into plutonium. It occurs and it begins the day that one of the corporate terrorists decides we're going to take the uranium from these Indians over here. And then in order to get the uranium from under our land and in order to maximize their profit at the same time while they're doing this, they use their law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. They use them as a private standing army for their corporate state, and the FBI comes into our communities and they attack us while they're calling us criminals. And then after they have broken down and put our people into the prisons and they have killed our most vocal people and they have driven our people underground - while the corporate state uses the taxpayers' dollars to send its private army to attack us - then when the resistance is beaten down enough, then the corporate state comes in and makes deals with the Federal government, and they walk away with all the resources at a very cheap price, because their entire war against us was waged and subsidized by the American people in the name of law and order. So they get it for nothing, and turn it around and sell it back to the American people - that is the principle maximizing the profit, it is the principle behind colonization."

"With no disrespect to anyone, I think asking Native people to celebrate Columbus Day is kinda like asking the American people to celebrate Osama bin Laden Day. And I actually think that terrorism arrived on this hemisphere with Columbus."

"Maybe we should be developing our loyalty to this planet and this Earth and our future, our descendants, more than we should be to governing political systems that have created all these problems."

John Trudell is a fascinating and troublesome man. His story is complex and unknown by most Americans. I've read two reviews saying the film "Trudell" is too worshipful of the man. The purpose of the film, however, is to illuminate the man and his message to America, which are both very powerful. The audience can critique what Trudell believes however they want.

The film is revealing of the man, his sensibility, and his situation as both an insider and outsider of American culture. The film is also suggestive, in both forceful and poetic ways, as to our responsibilities as American citizens. It's also original in that it has a strong, unfiltered Indian sensibility. If there were more people like John Trudell in America -- and more films addressing the issues of what true freedom and democracy mean -- our country would be in much better shape. Do yourself a favor and see this man, see this film.

Heather Rae, the director and producer, poured herself into this movie, compiling over a decade of research and interviews about John Trudell. As a fan of Trudell's, I have waited a long time for someone to put the puzzling pieces of his life together--a daunting task for anyone to tackle. The Movie gives us a glimpse into his powerful past and how through his writing, he survived the terrible losses of his wife, children, and close friends. There is, no doubt, a mystery that surrounds the one and only Graffiti Man, but thanks to the archived footage, news stories and broadcasts from the 1960s and 1970s, coupled with photos and interviews of Trudell and the people who know him, we learn what compels the activist/artist/actor to create. The historic scenes depicting Trudell's involvement with the American Indian Movement and his remembrance of his wife, Tina, are just a few of the frames that are overlaid with the poetry of Trudell, the guitars of Jessie Ed Davis and Mark Shark, and the traditional singing of Quiltman. Everything you always wanted to know about Trudell, but were afraid to ask--the answers are right here!

I saw a version (don't know if any edits/changes have been made since) a little over a year ago at a screening in Boise, ID where it was announced the film had been selected for Sundance. I went in totally unprepared for what I was hit with and am forever changed by it. The film-making was truly exceptional and the subject is one of our country's most original thinkers. This is one worth seeing, you won't regret it. Trudell is a survivor and filmmaker Rae, over a period of several years, captured footage and interviews with an amazing range of people who saw him through it all. This film really does go through his life with detail and richness that allows the viewer inside. It's a life worth examining.

I saw this film at the East Lansing Film Festival in the Spring of 2005, where Mr. Trudell spoke at Michigan State University. Mr. Trudell is a very engaging person, and whether or not you agree with his ideas or beliefs, it is quite interesting to listen to him speak. He is very frank about the fact that what he is saying is how he feels, and that it may not be the way you feel.

The situation and treatment of Natives in the US can be a very polarizing issue, and I feel that this film helps define one persons feelings about the plight of the Natives in the US. The film is informative without becoming overly melodramatic. It will definitely spark a conversation after viewing! I highly recommend seeing this film.

Finally, the story of John Trudell is told.

Trudell is an amazingly creative individual with a deep taproot, and this film presentation of his life is dynamic and riveting. The suffering he has endured as a human being, apart from any political or cultural back story, and his big-hearted response, can inform all of our lives. In addition to the creative beauty of the film, it has some excellent documentary footage from an important period in our country's history that should not be missed.

I attended the premiere in Minneapolis with my children (ages 15 to 23) and it was a significant cultural and artistic event for all of us. I'm eager to see the completed version of the film and will continue to encourage everyone I know to see it.

Bring the family!

Trudell is a doc on John Trudell, the Native American activist, poet, recording artist & sometimes actor. Salutary in the extreme, we come to know him, his myth & his politics but the filmmakers support of the man comes at the expense of objectivity that a good documentary demands. Brilliant man, flawed presentation.

I've read about John Trudell for years, heard his poetry and political/spiritual philosophy, heard him speak in person, and am familiar with the abuse he suffered while working as a full-time activist. So I was very interested to see the film when it came within driving distance (two hours) of my home. I did learn some things about his personal life, from childhood on, and think the film pursues the personal and family life without prying or being voyeuristic. I also learned some details about his evolution as a speaker. I saw no attempt to candy-coat either his public image or the lasting damage that his personal tragedies have wrought. I was particularly interested by the different ways that journalists responded to him during interviews and that celebrities summarized their impressions after working with him.

Overall, I came away with a deepened appreciation for his spirit, a strengthened critique of the culture we all find ourselves living in, and admiration for his uncompromising love of human beings and for his persistence. I would have been very interested to hear the commentary of mainstream political figures, in order to watch them publicly negotiate the presence of an eloquent, critical voice who is more often ignored or discounted as a radical or a nut just because it is difficult to hear some of what he says.

This is an excellent documentary.

John Trudell is one of the great minds of our time. You may not (always) agree with him, you may not even like him, but you really should hear him. I have had the opportunity to hear a number of great thinkers of our era, and John is one of them - he brings a number of important issues to the table - issues that are important to the future of our planet (in other words, our survival). If you have a chance to see this film - I understand that it will eventually end up on PBS, but much better is the current tour with John and the maker of the film meeting with the audience - you should do so.

John played an important role in the occupation of Alcatraz in 1969-71, a "protest" that up saved the Tribes - establishing self determination (of a sort) for American Indians - it caused Richard Nixon to return (with an apology) thousands of acres to Tribes that had been promised to them (then taken away).

John is trying to save the planet - save us all - something we all should support and be working to do every day. We are all (potentially?) human beings and as such we should hear his words as they can inspire this goal, to our collective benefit. One of the most important films I have seen of late.

I wish that I could even find words to describe what this film means to me. For me, it was one of the most influential films I have ever seen as an artist, a person, as a spirit. John Trudell's words—his very being are so strong in this film and Heather and her team did an amazing job of giving him to the world. The film is beautiful, passionate, inspirational, raw, real, and true. The power of this film is born from the love that the filmmakers put into it. It is an extension of each individual involved and it speaks not only the audience as a political film with an agenda- but as a spiritual film- a film that touches each individual in a unique way. From the first scene with John on the hillside, this film touched my heart and held onto it until the very end. Congratulations you guys!!!

I think Trudell was one of the best movies I have seen as far as true life . The man speaks from the heart and his intelligence of things to come have been so right on the money.I have followed John for many many years in his music and his poetry.

I have gone to many of his readings in California to the films debut in Colorado, and then again in North Carolina. I think he is highly Intelligent and a very gifted man. He speaks from the heart, and moves your soul and mind to think. I will see it again if the chance arises, and will purchase it should it ever be released .

I took several of my friends who had never heard John, and both came out of the theater looking as if they had been struck with lightening .They understood what I had talked about for years when I spoke of him or they heard his music.They have become true John fans.And I must agree with them.

How to describe Trudell? He defies categorization and labels. He is simultaneously a leader, poet and prophet. His wisdom transcends the decades and even the centuries. His words give clarity to the problems of living under the dominant culture. Heather Rae's superb film illustrates Trudell's message in a memorable and experiential way. Those in the activist community should see this film to gain an even broader perspective. From his days broadcasting "Radio Free Alcatraz" on KPFA to his concerts performing "Bombs Over Baghdad," he gives voice to resistance to oppression and the need to honor the earth, lessons we sorely need to learn in this day and age of global climate change and petrocollapse.

I'm blown away to see one of my top pictures given a rather low rating. Ever other movie I love and checked out on this board everyone seems to love as well. How could 47 people not love this movie? Maybe they are all former FBI counter-pro agents who knows. I get what he is talking about. Things he has to say are very important to our people's survival. He is a clear thoughtful great thinker. It's too bad for some that they are unable to see that but to each there own. This is a great American very under-appreciated in his time, a person of great personal and spiritual strength which is inspiring. You have to respect him and what he has given up for the native people. You have to respect him for what has been taken away from him for his beliefs. This is a excellent documentary of his life to date, I'm waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail soon. It will have a place of honor in my video/DVD collection.

This documentary provides insight to injustices done to the Native Indians of this land called America. Sadly John's tragedies provide the essence of what the U.S government has and is doing to the Native Indians today. Johns words come from wisdom lived harshly, but his words are strong and people should listen, as he denotes what has been done to Indian indignation eloquently. Miss Jolie saw in John's art what others should experience and thankfully helped to share his art with the rest of the world. Thank you Angelina. John's music and poetry is heartfelt, sincere, and deeply emotional. I have met and watched him perform. He is as intense in person as he is on-stage. Heather Rae did astounding work and should be commended highly. When you watch the movie be prepared to have the hair on your arms and neck stand up, if they don't then you just don't get it. Sincerely, Gemini

John Trudell and his work have been a profound personal and political inspiration to me since I first heard his poetry as a high school student 15 years ago. He has - along with many other activists and important leaders- helped to shape my political consciousness and inspire me to look at the world from a different perspective than what I was raised with.

Heather Rae's film is a wonderful telling of the story not only of Trudell's life and philosophy/politics, but also an important part of the history of the United States and the struggles of indigenous peoples to survive. It is a history that has gone overlooked and diminished for FAR too long and deserves to be told by those who lived it rather than those who sought (and continue to seek) to destroy it.

I extend my heart felt thanks to both Heather Rae and John Trudell for bringing this important film to light.