Wichita Art Museum film series explores plight of Native American artists
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I was asked to curate a film series about Native American artists to coincide with the Wichita Art Museum’s current exhibit, “Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass.”
It’s a beautiful exhibition, featuring 115 works of art by 29 Native American artists and four Pacific Rim artists, including Wichita favorite Preston Singletary (Tlingit) and many others.
I wanted to pick films that captured the spirit of the exhibit, and show the breadth of work that is out there, with artists tirelessly working in the trenches to create their work. The WAM Nights Film Series kicks off Friday, Aug. 4, and continues through Sept. 1 at the museum, 1400 Museum Blvd.
Here’s a look at the program I created and what will be showing. Admission for the screenings is $10 (free for WAM members). Proceeds benefit the museum.
“Love and Fury” (2020) This rousing, inspiring documentary is directed by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole and Muscogee), co-creator of the groundbreaking FX on Hulu series “Reservation Dogs.” The film follows Native artists for a year as they navigate their identities and careers in the U.S. and abroad. It had its world premiere at Hot Docs International Documentary Festival. Warning: Contains adult language. Showing at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. (93 min.)
Double feature: “Through the Repellent Fence” (2017) This documentary follows the Native American art collective Postcommodity as they construct Repellent Fence, a two-mile long outdoor artwork straddling the U.S.-Mexico border a mile in each direction and suturing the region back together. Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas. (74 min.)
Paired with: “Sweetheart Dancers” (2019) This documentary is the story of Sean and Adrian, a young Two-Spirit couple determined to rewrite the rules of Native American culture through their participation in the “Sweetheart Dance.” This celebratory contest is held at powwows across the country, primarily for men and women couples –- until now. Directed by Ben-Alex Dupris. (12 min.) The entire program starts at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18.
“Merata: How Mum Decolonized the Screen” (2018) Documentary portrait of pioneering filmmaker and mother Merata Mita (Maori), detailing how her filmmaking intersected with the lives of her children and indigenous filmmakers globally, and featuring rare archival footage dating back to 1977. Directed by her son, Hepi Mita. Showing at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1.
More information can be found at https://wam.org.
Rod Pocowatchit is Comanche, Pawnee and Shawnee. Reach him at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.
