Being Thunder

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1:32

Being Thunder

2022

1h 25m

Documentary

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6 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

After performing his whole young life as a championship eastern war dancer, following the path of his father, Sherenté Harris, at the age of 16, re-enters the traditional dance circle as someone he had been taught to hide; herself. Sherenté begins to honor the path of their mother through her style of dance. S/he is now a fancy shawl dancer. Sherenté is Two Spirit and lives as male and female asserting the right to present as both. Wearing the female fancy shawl costume, Sherenté performs in dance competitions at various tribes' pow wows. Behind their back tribal leaders manipulate scores or disqualify them outright because of a belief in traditional gender roles. In spite of being blindsided by ongoing dishonesty and deception, Sherenté continues to compete in the face of insensitive behavior from some members of the native community. Sherenté's enduring courage and self-respect are met with an outpouring of support from family members, pow wow attendees, and fellow dancers. Their family's support and love present a moving view of what Two Spirit acceptance should look like, and can create a model for others to follow.

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Jude Dry

IndieWire

Nov 11, 2022

B

Directed by French filmmaker Stéphanie Lamorré, Being Thunder takes a respectfully intimate approach to documenting Sherenté’s journey, which they walk with a tight-knit and supportive family.

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Teo Bugbee

New York Times

Nov 10, 2022

The film [has] a pleasingly transient quality, a sense that the audience is watching life as it flows for the‌ subjects. But the vérité ‌feel often makes it hard to glean useful information...

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Andrew Stover

Film Threat

Jul 9, 2025

Being Thunder is a wonderfully candid and serene documentary about addressing gender and history. It allows the images and interactions to speak for themselves.

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Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

Nov 22, 2022

Being Thunder is, ultimately, about what it means to be truly, authentically yourself — dressing and behaving in the way you feel comfortable and confident, participating in the activities that make you feel happy...

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Anne Brodie

What She Said

Nov 11, 2022

4/4

Transgender Sherente wears full makeup “even when I don’t want to so I look like that figure they need me to be”. Stéphanie Lamorré’s sensitive doc raises multiple issues that must no longer be ignored.

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Jun 21, 2021

4/5

It's an impressive depiction of the culture, as well as a powerful exploration of a range of urgent themes.

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Nov 13, 2022

This moving documentary follows the story of two spirit genderqueer Narragansett tribe teen Sherente Harris. I loved Sherente’s spirit, and their wonderful family. It’s a beautiful story.

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Stéphanie Lamorré

Director

Sherenté Mishitashin Harris

Self

Stéphanie Lamorré

Writer

Marc Berdugo

Producer

Barbara Conforti

Producer

Mae Gammino

Producer

Being Thunder: Official Clip - Sherenté's Thank You

2:58

Now Playing

Being Thunder: Official Clip - Indigenous American History

2:12

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Being Thunder: Official Clip - Hugging Sherenté

1:40

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Being Thunder: Official Clip - Competitive Powwow Dancing

2:07

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Being Thunder: Official Clip - Problematic Beauty Standards

2:10

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Being Thunder: Official Clip - The Community's Support

1:18

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Being Thunder: Official Clip - Powwow Dance

2:56

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Being Thunder: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After performing his whole young life as a championship eastern war dancer, following the path of his father, Sherenté Harris, at the age of 16, re-enters the traditional dance circle as someone he had been taught to hide; herself. Sherenté begins to honor the path of their mother through her style of dance. S/he is now a fancy shawl dancer. Sherenté is Two Spirit and lives as male and female asserting the right to present as both. Wearing the female fancy shawl costume, Sherenté performs in dance competitions at various tribes' pow wows. Behind their back tribal leaders manipulate scores or disqualify them outright because of a belief in traditional gender roles. In spite of being blindsided by ongoing dishonesty and deception, Sherenté continues to compete in the face of insensitive behavior from some members of the native community. Sherenté's enduring courage and self-respect are met with an outpouring of support from family members, pow wow attendees, and fellow dancers. Their family's support and love present a moving view of what Two Spirit acceptance should look like, and can create a model for others to follow.

Director: Stéphanie Lamorré
Producer: Marc Berdugo, Barbara Conforti, Mae Gammino
Screenwriter: Stéphanie Lamorré
Distributor: Film Movement
Production Co: Gammino Creative Group, arte France Cinéma, Magnéto Prod, La Lucarne
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m

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