NATIVE SPIRIT FESTIVAL 2008
Film & Video Festival of the Indigenous Peoples
of the Three Americas

 

Download the List of 2007 films and synopses in:
PDF File
Microsoft Word

 

With over 116 films, and 188 screenings, workshops, talks, exhibitions and more, in 10 locations over 10 days theres something for everyone. The Native Spirit Festival 2008 is running in London from the 19th-28th of October 2008.

Below Please find listings for Sunday 19th, Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st of October.

For Wednesday Thurday and Friday the 22nd-24th
Click here
For Saturday and Sunday the 25th & 26th
Click here
For Monday and Tuesday the 27th & 28th
Click here

Or to download a PDF of the full Native Spirit Festival program click here.

 

Sunday 19th October 2008

Eurhythmy Hall

12pm
History of the Inupiat: The voice of our spirit
Through the undermining of indigenous children’s cultures in the education systems of residential schools and modern American run Academies, the Inupiat language has been lost to the majority of the last few generations, we explore how this reflects on the lives of the individuals and their community. By Rachel Naninaaq Edwardson. Canada. 49min

Crazy Ind’n
This hilarious animation holds the USA government guilty of atrocities committed against the Indigenous peoples of America and beats them at their own games as we are introduced to the first animated Native American action hero. By Ian Skorodin. USA.20min

1.20pm
Yaipota Nanle iyui- querenos nuestra tierra
This extraordinary film hears form the Guarani community on the subject of oppressions that they, as a people, have faced, at the hands of the large corporation that dispossessed them of their land and inflicted atrocities upon them. By Lerona Riposati. Subtitled. Argentina. 74min

2.45pm
Aqui Somos ( Hello! Can you hear us?)
From the Zapoteco communities in Mexico to the Aymaras in Bolivia this film looks at the struggles of four prominent Indigenous communities, with particular focus upon the Wayuu communities of Venezuela, giving a voice to the leaders of the indigenous people currently fighting against multinational corporations in order to stop the destruction of the natural resources so necessary to the survival of humankind. By Maya Bazzini. UK. 44min+Talk with Director Maya Bazzini

3.45pm
Yalayalama’ ana (The strongest)
In the forests of the Sierra de Perija, on the borders between Colombia and Venezuela - an area rich in coal and other minerals – the indigenous Wayuu are among other original inhabitants who have been historically displaced and harassed by big landowners and multinational mining companies. Recently a number of Wayuu communities have come together, organising themselves for what they call “this last fight” to protect nature and their ancestral culture. J. Montiel & M. Suarez. Venezuela. 20min

4.30pm-6pm
Workshop: Medicine & Cosmovision Indigenous
Providing unique insight into the Mapuche culture of spiritual warriors (People of the Earth) from Southern Argentina and Chile.. Freddy and Paz Treuquil, Mapuche artists and teachers, reveal the foundations of thier peoples spiritual strength and honour in their philosophy of life, spiritual teachings, physical training, exercises of vibrational self-discovery and the applications of herbal medicines. Run by Freddy and Paz Treuquil (Mapuche).

RUDOLF STEINER HOUSE
35 PARK ROAD, NW1 6XT
TEL: 0207 723 4400

Films free: donations appreciated.
Workshops £45 pp On the door.

7pm
Only the Devil Speaks Cree
This short fiction portrays the appalling treatment of indigenous children forced into residential schools, where they where taught to deny their heritage, and faced constant abuses. By Pamela Matthews. Canada. 32min

 

Little Prince
A fantastic montage of animation and “autobiographical” narrative illustrates a profound metaphor for the lives of indigenous people ripped from their roots, lost and disconnected in the modern world. Beautiful. By Vince Papatie. Canada. 6min

Aboriginality
This short sweet animation discovers the traditions of the indigenous through visions which connect with a small boy raised in an urban environment. By Dominique Keller Canada. 5min


7.55pm
Back to Pikangikum
This in-depth documentary looks at the sorrows and struggles that one community, once famed for the highest annual number of child suicides in Canada, faces on the road to Self-government. By Coleen Rajotte. Canada. 63min

9pm
Inuit + Dene Games
Exploring some of the traditional Inuit and Dene games and their place in the modern context of their respective cultures, we are introduced to the people competing in some familiar and unfamiliar sports, which for the first time includes female participants. By Jeff Newman. Canada. 22min

9.30pm
Black Indians: An American Story
This film brings to light the forgotten history of the people who’s ancestry comprised Africans and Native Americans, such as Tina Turner and Jesse Jackson. Narrated by James Earl Jones, this presentation explores some of the factors that brought these two groups together, and drove them apart. By Chip Richie and Steven Heape. USA. 60min

 

16mm
19 D'Arblay Street
London
W1F 8ED
Tel: 0207 287 8892
http://www.16mm-soho.co.uk
Reservations in advance essential due to limited capacity.
Telephone to book your place. £5 per night.

6.15pm
March Point
When Cody Nick and Travis, three teens from the Swinomish tribe,picked up a camera they planned on making a gangster rap video, instead they found themselves investigating the impact of two oil refineries on their tribal community, this film documents their journey as they come to recognise themselves, their environment and the threat their people face. Tracy Rector, Annie Silverstein, Cody Cayou, Travis Tom, and Nick Clark. USA.54min

7.30pm
Nuestra Historia esta en la tierra. (Our story is in the land)
Actors provide oral testimony’s on behalf of representatives for various indigenous groups, anthropologists, elected officials, technicians, religious leaders and military personnel, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of homogenizing indigenous groups to preserve their rights over land and self-determination, where the individual identities of groups such as the Pemon, Yabara, and Mapoyo often conflict and contradict one another. The film also explores the multiple interests and forms of domination from outsiders that compete for the use and appropriation of the resources of the southern territories Venezuela. By Eliezer Arias. Venezuela.85min

9pm
White Buffalo
The White Buffalo has long been a powerful symbol of hope for the indigenous cultures of North America, in 2005 a white buffalo calf was born, fulfilling a prophecy, inspiring Native people and warning of the crisis now facing all of mankind. The White Buffalo Calf heralds a resounding message for peace, as officials add their voices to denounce the crimes that people have committed against others and the Mother Earth. By Noah Erenburg. Canada. 22min

Living from the Land and Sea
This beautiful film takes a glimpse at the wonders and bounties of nature, hidden from all but those that know, and are connected to the land, which has nourished the Alaskan Native Peoples for generations. By Jonathan Stanton. Alaska. 14min

Good riddance to Chief Illiniwek
This short satire plays upon the historically institutionalised and derogatory portrayal of the “White Man’s Indian“. Definably worth watching. By Torry Mendoza. USA 1.5min

Done Dirt Cheap
This delightful short takes a look at the gold mining industry in Australia. By Debbie Carmody. Australia. 6min.

10.00pm
The Tribunal
In 1993 a tribunal was held in Hawaii, presided over by representatives of indigenous peoples throughout the world, to judge the acts of repression, subjugation of the Kanaka Maoli people and the unlawful annexation of Hawaii by the United Stated Government. This film documents the tribunal and examines some of the issues and arguments raised by the indigenous inhabitants of the Hawaiian islands. By Joan Lander and Puhipau of Na Maka o ka 'Aina. Hawaii. 84min

THE CROSS KINGS LONDON BAR VENUE
126 York Way, London, N1 0AX
T: 0207 278 8318
info@thecrosskings.co.uk
18+
Free Events,; Suggested donations £3.50+

 

Monday 20th October 2008

 

7pm
Alcatraz is not an island
In November1969 a small group of Native American students and activists took the stand to occupy Alcatraz Island in San Francisco bay. They were soon joined by thousands, reclaiming “Indian Land”. This remarkable film documents the ideals, intentions and struggles faced by these pioneers, and the effect that they had on the way Native Americans viewed themselves and their cultures from then on. By James Fortier. USA. 56min

8.10pm
Club native
This documentary takes a look at the prejudices that have been manifest within some indigenous communities against white culture and the intermarriage between indigenous and white people. Exploringthe ramifications of intermarriage on the status of the individual indigenous person within their community and on the reservation. By Tracy Deer. Canada. 79min

9.50pm
Mapuche and the Forest Invasion
Mapuche means people of the earth, an ancient indigenous culture which now faces the invasion of forest companies onto their traditional territories, supplanting sacred millennial trees with fast growing pine and eucalyptus, which strip the land of nutrients and destroy the natural environment and the balance of harmony between traditional farmers and the mother earth. By Rueda Mapuche. Subtitled. Argentina & Chile. 32min

10.30pm
Survivor
A poetic video addressing the injustices of the indigenous genocide in Canada, which expresses itself through an original montage of music, words and images. By Doreen Manuel. Canada. 8min

Hush
This hilarious short plays on a mothers sexuality. By Dena Curtis. Australia. 5min

13 Pueblos Defending Water Air and Land.
This beautiful documentary explores the actions that 13 indigenous communities in Mexico are collectively taking to defend their environments from destruction and contamination by industrial and commercial projects that are threatening the water, air and land where they live. Francesco Yaboada Yabone. Mexico. 62min

Ritzy Picturehouse
Brixton Oval
Coldharbour Lane
London SW2 1JG
Tel: 0871 704 2065
ritzy@picturehouses.co.uk

Free event suggested donations of £3.50+

7pm
Pauingassi: portrait of hope
After experiencing tragedy, one community finds itself facing criticism, and having to examine their way of governing themselves, have implemented changes that restore many of their cultural values and traditions. By Noah Erenburg. Canada. 22min

Rupert River and Youth
Within many reservations and traditional aboriginal territories, throughout the Americas, Hydroelectric companies are forcing their way onto the land, diverting rivers, and flooding valleys, without regard for the communities living their, dependent upon their environment, and the sacred sites that they venerate. In this documentary, focus is given to the young people of a community faced with the loss of Rupert River and explores what that means for them. By Cynthia Taylor. Canada. 21min.

Truly Traditional
A beautiful account of one elderly Cree woman’s determination to live as traditional a life as possible, continuing to hunt, cook, canoe, work hides and live as her ancestors did. By Cynthia Taylor. Canada. 9min

8pm
Elijah
The Meech Lake debate was a pivotal event in Canadian political history, this brilliant and hilarious feature tells the story of Elijah Harper a First Nations icon who gained a position in the Canadian Governament. By Paul Unwin. Canada. 86min

Coming from the south : Manzanita Band of Kumeyaay Summer Youth Program.
Members of the Kumeyaay Communities in Mexico, who have managed to retain many of their traditional skills and cultural heritage, travel, at the request of their related communities, to the USA, to pass on some of their knowledge and wisdom to future generations who no longer have the opportunities to benefit from these resource within their own communities. By Daniel Golding. 24min

16mm
19 D'Arblay Street
London
W1F 8ED
Tel: 0207 287 8892
http://www.16mm-soho.co.uk
Reservations in advance essential due to limited capacity.
Telephone to book your place. £5 per night.

Tuesday 21st October