Trudell
2005 American film
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Trudell is a 2005 documentary film about American Indian activist and poet John Trudell. The film traces Trudell's life from his childhood in Omaha, Nebraska, through his role as a leader of the American Indian Movement. It also covers his rebirth as a musician and spoken word poet after his wife died in a house fire suspected as arson.
Elyse Katz
Heather Rae
| Trudell | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Heather Rae |
| Written by | B. Russell Friedenberg |
| Produced by | Heather Rae Elyse Katz |
| Cinematography | Gilbert Salas Heather Rae |
| Edited by | Gregory Bayne Heather Rae |
| Music by | John Trudell & Bad Dog |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
Heather Rae produced and directed the film, which took her more than a decade to complete. Trudell aired nationally in the U.S. on April 11, 2006 as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS.
Reception
The film received generally mixed reviews from critics.
... one of the most prominent and passionate advocates for Native American rights. ... [John Trudell] deserves more daring and objective scrutiny than this overly reverent tribute.
— Jeanette Catsoulis, The New York Times[1]
By preaching so relentlessly to the choir, this film misses an opportunity to show what got them to sing in the first place.
— Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times[2]
Despite the rambling finish, however, overall the film is a thought-provoking and graceful portrait of a tenacious peace warrior whose frankness is his greatest weapon.
— Erin Meister, The Boston Globe[3]
