Trudell is a 2005 documentary film about American Indian activist and poet John Trudell. The film traces Trudell's life from his childhood in Omaha, Nebraska, through his role as a leader of the American Indian Movement. It also covers his rebirth as a musician and spoken word poet after his wife died in a house fire suspected as arson.

Trudell
Directed byHeather Rae
Written byB. Russell Friedenberg
Produced byHeather Rae
Elyse Katz
CinematographyGilbert Salas
Heather Rae
Edited byGregory Bayne
Heather Rae
Music byJohn Trudell & Bad Dog
Release dates
  • January 20, 2005 (2005-01-20) (Sundance Film Festival)
  • February 24, 2006 (2006-02-24) (United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States

Heather Rae produced and directed the film, which took her more than a decade to complete. Trudell aired nationally in the U.S. on April 11, 2006 as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS.

Reception

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The film received generally mixed reviews from the critics.

... one of the most prominent and passionate advocates for Native American rights. ... [John Trudell] deserves more daring and objective scrutiny than this overly reverent tribute.

— Jeanette Catsoulis, The New York Times[1]

By preaching so relentlessly to the choir, this film misses an opportunity to show what got them to sing in the first place.

— Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times[2]

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.

— Erin Meister, The Boston Globe[3]

References

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  1. ^ Catsoulis, Jeanette (2006-02-24). "Movie Review - Trudell (2005) A Portrait of a Stormy and Complicated Life". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  2. ^ Turan, Kenneth (2006-03-10). "Movie Review - 'Trudell'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  3. ^ Meister, Erin (2006-03-10). "Trudell Movie Review - A touching portrait of an activist". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
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