John Trudell on tonight

[H2O Man]

April 30

The film "Trudell" will be on the Sundance channel at 9 pm est. Here is some information on the film:

Appaloosa Pictures Presents
TRUDELL
A documentary by Heather Rae

Filmmaker Heather Rae set out to make a documentary about the life of acclaimed Native activist and poet John Trudell more than a decade ago. Her intent was to utilize Trudell’s rich political and cultural life to create a relevant piece that reflected contemporary history and educated and inspired world citizens. In TRUDELL, Rae has done just that. “It is a film that can make a difference,” she says.

TRUDELL is a captivating, moving film that weaves archival footage and contemporary interviews together with John Trudell’s own words and music in a mystic way. The film artistically portrays the passionate, painful and multi-dimensional life of this Dakota man who went from being a spokesperson for the Indians of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1968 to Chairman of the American Indian Movement in the turbulent 1970’s to an internationally recognized poet, recording artist and actor in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Trudell’s potent narration and poetry permeate the film so that the audience is not only taken in by his amazing life story, but also by his prophetic voice and analysis of contemporary society. "It has always been my intention for the film to mirror the evocative nature of John's work, stylistically and narratively. It is about the message and the messenger," comments Rae. “The work is layered in ideas and visual strength--all elicited by John's words."

Along with the power of Trudell’s words, the film includes historic footage that documents the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM) as well as interviews with Trudell’s AIM colleagues and close associates in the movie and music industries. Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller is featured as well as close friend Jackson Browne, Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson and others, along with Trudell’s band and family. TRUDELL premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. documentary competition.

http://www.johntrudell.com/press_2004_themovie.html


A number of DUers have discussed John Trudell's work on some recent threads on General Discussion. I think that this film should be of interest to those who know him, and especially for DUers with an interest in Native Americans, current events, and environmental issues.

[Me.]

1. K & R

Thanks

[H2O Man]

3. I'm looking forward

to seeing this tonight.

[myrna minx]

2. I wish I had the Sundance Channel so I could watch this.

K&R.

[Annces]

4. I recognized his name

from the Thunderheart movie and found out he does poetry. Angelina Jolie is producing his latest CD. I think Brad will be jealous.

http://www.hollowear.com/words/circus2000.html

[H2O Man]

7. I think the

movie "Thunderheart" was very good. He had an intensity in his role that comes from his life experience.

There is quite a bit of information on John Trudell in Peter Matthiessen's important book, "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" (Viking; 1980, 1983, 1991). The 1991 edition has an Afterword by Martin Garbus, that starts with this sentence: "The republication of In the Spirit of Crazy Horse marks a great victory against a new kind of censorship: the attempt by present and former public officials to suppress books that criticize them or disagree with their polities." That alone should interest DUers who value Amendment 1 from that Bill of Rights that many present and former public officials are attemping to crush.

Matthiessen writes, "John Trudell, a small catlike man with a big voice that was merry and harsh at the same time, was also an incendiary talker ...." (page 39)

He also quotes from an FBI document describing Trudell: "TRUDELL is an intelligent individual and is an eloquent speaker who has the ability to stimulate people into action. .... TRUDELL has the ability to meet with a group of pacifists and in a short time have them yelling and screaming 'right-on.' In short, he is an extremely effective agitator." (page 322)

Right on!

[Annces]

9. He did stand out in that movie

I thought he was not a real actor, but they brought in an actual person for that role and the grandfather too. I think it is hard to get any notice as a poet, I hope he does well in the future.

[H2O Man]

14. The grandfather

is my older daughter's favorite character in the movie. She is excited about the Trudell film being on tonight, as she thinks John's character is outstanding, too.

[Annces]

16. There is nothing better for a young child

than an attentive parent!

I showed that movie to my father. My favorite scene was in the beginning when the Indian with the long hair was running through the field (although he did get shot). A very poetic scene.

[Annces]

21. Also to add

My father used to make a joke about our family name. We have the name of the 2nd husband who my great grandmother married, Woltjen. However she got married a 3rd time to an Indian. And my father used to joke that if he got his name, he would be called Jack Rain-in-the-Face. I always laughed. I hope that is not offensive.

[BeHereNow]

17. Back fwom work and saw your reply to me above-

I think you said it all with:

"TRUDELL is an intelligent individual and is an eloquent speaker who has the ability to stimulate people into action. ....
TRUDELL has the ability to meet with a group of pacifists and in a short time
have them yelling and screaming 'right-on.' In short, he is an extremely effective agitator." (page 322)

What else can I add to that other than his bio from his web site?
http://www.johntrudell.com/bio.html
And from his latest CD-
http://www.johntrudell.com/audio/hanging.mp3
Enjoy!

BHN
:toast:

[kerrygoddess]

24. Indians are Jesus...

Hanging from the cross.

[Me.]

5. For Those Who Can't Watch Tonight

Sundance Channel
Today 9:00 PM
Sundance Channel
Sunday (May 6) 10:30 AM
Sundance Channel
May 16 11:25 AM
Sundance Channel
May 21 4:45 PM

[BeHereNow]

6. THANKS for the "heads up" on this!

I think you know how much I love this man.
Can't wait to see it!
BHN

[H2O Man]

8. Yes.

I was hoping that you would add some thoughts about why this is an important film for DUers to watch, if they are able to.

[Strelnikov_]

10. We'll see what the Grafitti Man has to say n/t

[myrna minx]

11. Kick. n/t

[Jcrowley]

12. K&R

Bombs Over Baghdad
John Trudell

Bombs over Baghdad, Bombs over Baghdad
Bombs over Baghdad, Dancers of Death
Murder in the air, with the next breath
Macho Queens selling war-makers toys
Raining Destruction, Good Old Boys
Death bringer In Queen George's Eyes
Read his lips, war-maker lies
Religious Rights revenging sword
Thou shalt kill in the name of the Lord
The Sheep and the Cattle can't keep from milling
Some are more than ready some aren't willing
Volunteering in what they're not dying for
The Young Republican Guard crying for war.
Free speech as free as its thought
Controlled behavior reacts as its taught
Fighting for Peace can't comprehend
Hate out of love is violent pretends

Bombs Over Baghdad, Bombs Over Baghdad
Bombs Over Baghdad, Bombs Over Baghdad

Vampires drinking blood and oil cocktails
Their violence works it hardly ever fails
When blind man can't see he believes blind
Blind obedience is the child of mindless minds

New world order is an old world lie.
Fighting for peace, see how they die.
Dragging in God, as they turn violent.
God says nothing, he just remains silent.

Stop madmen from running loose.
Mother earth woman cant take the abuse
living right now is living for tomorrow
Time is saying there's no more time tomorrow

Vampires drinking blood and oil cocktails
Their violence works it hardly ever fails
Bombs over Baghdad Dancers of Death
Murder in the air with the next breath

Macho Queen war-maker toys
Raining destruction Good Old Boys
New world order is a whole world lie.
Fighting for peace, watch them all die.
Dragging in God, as they turn violent.
God says nothing, he just remains silent.

Bombs over Baghdad, Dancers of Death
Bombs over Baghdad, Dancers of Death
Bombs over Baghdad, Dancers of Death
Bombs over Baghdad, Dancers of Death
Bombs over Baghdad

[H2O Man]

13. Very good!

Thank you for posting that!

[Jcrowley]

15. Pleasure

Listen here for free:
http://www.rhapsody.com/johntrudell/akathegraffitiman

[BeHereNow]

19. AND RANT and ROLL! GREAT TRACK for our time.

http://www.rhapsody.com/johntrudell/johnnydamasandme
God, I wish he would do another live show!
He is so fantastic performing in person.
BHN

[kerrygoddess]

23. Still true today. n/t

[KamaAina]

18. I saw him speak a few years ago

at the University of Hawai'i. Wow! The few dozen people out there who actually get Sundance are gonna want to watch, maybe even tape, this one.

"We weren't lost
and we didn't need any book
and then the great spirit met the great law
Indians are Jesus
hanging from the cross
hanging from the cross
in the name of their savior
forcing on us
the trinity of the change
....It ain't delusional
grandeur,
they lie to us
then lie to themselves
about lying to us
about lying to us
hanging from the cross
hanging from the cross... - John Trudell, Hanging From the Cross

[BeHereNow]

20. I just posted a link to that!

WE all be tunin' in to the TRUDELL.
YES.
BHN

[H2O Man]

22. It's good. n/t