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Trudell (2006)
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Reviews Counted:29
Fresh:9
Rotten:20
Average Rating:4.8/10
Runtime: 78 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Theatrical Release:Feb 24, 2006 Limited
Synopsis: TRUDELL follows the life work of Native American poet/activist John Trudell. Filmmaker Heather Rae has spent more than a decade chronicling his travels, spoken word and politics in a poetic and... TRUDELL follows the life work of Native American poet/activist John Trudell. Filmmaker Heather Rae has spent more than a decade chronicling his travels, spoken word and politics in a poetic and naturally stylized manner. The film combines archival, concert and interview footage with abstract imagery mirroring the coyote nature of Trudell himself. Incorporating years of work, 16mm and Super 8 film, video, and archival footage, TRUDELL begins in the late sixties when John Trudell and a community group, Indians of All Tribes, occupied Alcatraz Island for 21 months creating international recognition of the American Indian cause and birthing the contemporary Indian people's movement. The film goes to Alcatraz, returning to what John refers to as his "birth." From Alcatraz we follow John's political journey as the National Spokesman of the American Indian Movement (AIM)--this work making him one of the most highly volatile political 'subversives' of the 1970's with one of the longest FBI files in history (over 17,000 pages.) In 1979, while protesting the US government's policy on American Indians, John burned an American Flag on the the steps of the FBI headquarters in Washington DC. Within a matter of hours his pregnant wife, three children and mother in law were killed in a suspicious arson fire on a Nevada reservation. This ended John's involvement in organizational politics. He spent the next four years driving America in a car given to him by his friend and fellow activist, Jackson Browne. It was during this period that John's voice as a poet began to surface. His gift as an orator carried him through his pain and he found a new way to represent his manifesto and cause. In 1983 he began to put his words to music with the help of Kiowa guitar legend, the late Jesse Ed Davis, and Jackson Browne. Even his early recordings reflect an articulate sensibility and eloquence about the state of the world, moving him into the realm of social theorist and philosopher. John does not adhere to a dogma or school of thought but has created his own diatribe based in experience, having lived through and taken part in some of the most turbulent American political events of the past century. In an interview with Native actor, Gary Farmer (Dead Man), he referred to Trudell as "the Native people's prophet of these times, our Socrates." --© Balcony Releasing [More]
Starring: Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, Samuel Shepard Rogers, Amy Elizabeth Ray
Starring: Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, Samuel Shepard Rogers, Amy Elizabeth Ray, Val Kilmer, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, John Trudell
Director: Heather Rae
Director: Heather Rae
Studio: Balcony Releasing
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Reviews for Trudell
A bittersweet bio-pic which presents an articulate, defiant and sensitive soul who promises to remain committed to resistance till he draws his last breath.
Like many "documentaries" that are essentially homages, Trudell often lacks context.
The movie tries to do too much, sandwiching in extraneous histories of the Indian occupation of Alcatraz, for instance, and skimming quickly past the mysterious fire that killed Trudell's wife and children.
Combines a minimum of critical distance and a maximum of gratuitous flash.
Rae's reluctance to delve into more complex, personal or specific territory -- with anecdotes, for example -- limits viewer involvement.
[John] Trudell is the compelling presence at the heart of Trudell, Heather Rae's fascinating but superficial treatment of the poet, singer and tilter-at-windmills who has been at the barricades from the get-go.
"Trudell" may be a one-sided work of propaganda, but it's effective, well-crafted and informative propaganda.
This documentary feature is more concerned with telling us about Trudell's many exploits than with telling us about the man. As a result, it feels superficial, and the tone is much too reverential.
By preaching so relentlessly to the choir, this film misses an opportunity to show what got them to sing in the first place.
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.
Short on the meat of documentary -- archival detail-- and long on hero worship ...
How could a movie about someone with one of the nation's longest FBI files be this dull?
A tribute to the focused and prophetic Native poet and activist who loves the Earth and has made many stands for the dignity of his people.
...should all be interesting, but Rae goes that extra mile to make it alternately dull and irritating.
Trudell's activism is more compelling than his poetry or performance art.
Rae borrows a bit heavily from the Oliver Stone school of filmmaking: Quick cuts of seemingly random footage do more to draw attention to a possible dearth of relevant background materials than to evoke ideas of Native American history and struggle.
Serves as both a timely tribute to the man and an important reminder for those in danger of forgetting the issues at stake in the Native American struggle for rights and dignity.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
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| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
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| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
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| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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