Lakota Nation vs. United States

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Lakota Nation vs. United States

PG-13

2023

1h 58m

Documentary

History

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24 Reviews

76%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Lakota Nation vs. United States chronicles the Lakota Indians' century-long quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was stolen in violation of treaty agreements. A searing, timely portrait of resistance, the film explores the ways America has ignored its debt to indigenous communities, and ponders what might be done today to repair the wrongs of the past.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

07/24/2023

A re-energized debate about stolen land and inequity, spurred by young people invigorated by the history they were never taught, and gaining traction with non-Natives to boot.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

07/22/2023

There's a lot of stuff here, and it's all infuriating.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

07/14/2023

3/4

“Lakota Nation vs. United States” moves swiftly but thoughtfully through various topics, covering issues like the over 400 land-grabbing treaties that robbed tribes of their homes to historic confrontations.

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Diana Tuova

Film Obsessive

08/14/2024

If perhaps a little unfocused, Lakota Nation vs. United States still represents a significant “milestone” in documentary work on the Native American people.

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

02/13/2024

A truly spiritual documentary fueled by a sharp political fire.

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Glenn Dunks

The Film Experience

12/10/2023

It’s a movie that all but lets you feel the dirt under your fingernails and the earth under your feet. Without even being there, it’s impossible to not feel the connection and therefore understand why this story is so vitally important.

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Kirsten

08/27/2023

Powerfully eye opening. I am old enough to remember many of these events. This gives so much insight and emotion!

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DMac

08/08/2023

This is a hugely important injustice that this movie unfortunately describes badly, repeating the same facts over and over without coherent progression. Three stars for the impetus the movie gave me to do my own research I hope future viewers wont let the subject drop.

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Caroline E

@RT11490439 Nov 25

Watched this on a flight from Dublin to Dallas. I cried my eyes out. Amazing documentary and the clarity of which the natives speak is stunning. It reminded me as an Irish person of the horrific damage colonizers do. Solidarity with all first nations and natives worldwide.

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Rob P

@RT40655234 02/23/2025

Wow. Wow. I watched this on a flight when looking for something interesting. So glad I did and hope many many more folks do the same. Touching, infuriating, uplifting and more about this absolutely important but overlooked part of our US history. You WILL learn more about what happened to the Lakota (Sioux) people and how it happened. (Spoiler alert: their land was stolen. Ok not really a spoiler…) Some of the reviews here are wild. You’ll see either honest 4 or 5 stars like mine or 1 star. Those 1 star reviews clearly just don’t like the message or maybe think it’s ok what happened to the Lakota and don’t want more awareness of facts that don’t fit their own narrative. I’ll say as a film it is slow or repetitive at times but worth it. Watch it.

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Blair W

@RT44247882 04/10/2024

Turned off after 10 minutes or so of nothing but complaining.

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08/14/2023

Get your facts right

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Jesse Short Bull

Director

Laura Tomaselli

Director

Layli Long Soldier

Writer

Benjamin Hedin

Writer

Laura Tomaselli

Writer

Benjamin Hedin

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Lakota Nation vs. United States: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Lakota Nation vs. United States chronicles the Lakota Indians' century-long quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was stolen in violation of treaty agreements. A searing, timely portrait of resistance, the film explores the ways America has ignored its debt to indigenous communities, and ponders what might be done today to repair the wrongs of the past.

Director: Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli
Producer: Benjamin Hedin, Phil Pinto
Screenwriter: Layli Long Soldier, Benjamin Hedin, Laura Tomaselli
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Cinetic Media, Salmira Productions, XTR
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Violent Images|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $88.1K
Runtime: 1h 58m

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