Mankiller (film)
| Mankiller | |
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| Directed by | Valerie Red-Horse Mohl |
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Running time | 74 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States[1] |
| Language | English |
Mankiller is a 2017 documentary film directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl and executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd, concerning the life of Wilma Mankiller. The film had its US premiere on June 19, 2017 at the Los Angeles Film Festival.[1] It was produced by Red-Horse Native Productions and Valhalla Entertainment and is a presentation of Vision Maker Media for PBS.
Synopsis
The film follows the life of Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to be elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, from her childhood in Oklahoma, through her family's relocation to San Francisco[2], as well as her return to Oklahoma and her rise to power within the Cherokee Nation.[2]
The film explores sensitive topics like her work with the Black Panthers and the Alcatraz occupation movement, and the car accident that took the life of her best friend and nearly ended hers.
Mankiller utilizes original interviews with friends, family, and activists including Gloria Steinem as well as archival footage of Wilma Mankiller to depict a transcendent leader that overcame rampant sexism to usher in an era of improved stability and prosperity for the Cherokee Nation.
Production
Vision Maker Media received funding for the research and development phase of the documentary in 2012.[3] The initial research and development shooting took place in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma in July of 2013. Production funding by Vision Maker Media was announced in 2014. On March 9, 2015 production company Valhalla Entertainment launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film. On April 8, 2015 the campaign ended after successfully raising $164,856 from over 1,000 backers[4] with help from several actors from The Walking Dead.[5]
The first phase of production filming took place in Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Oklahoma, San Diego, and San Francisco during the summer and fall of 2015. Vision Maker Media was awarded additional funding in 2016. The final filming took place in Oklahoma and Wisconsin during August of 2016. Post production and editing were completed in Los Angeles and San Francisco in late 2016 and early 2017.[3]
Release
The international film premiere took place on June 19, 2017, in the United States at the LA Film Festival.[1]
Reception
Initial reviews of the film were positive. Ed Rampell of Hollywood Progressive called it as a, "poignant biopic about one of the greats made me feel like weeping."[6] Vincent Schilling of Indian Country Today described the film as "perfectly crafted to deliver a message of hope, empowerment and inspiration."[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "'Mankiller' LA Film Festival page". Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- 1 2 "Wilma Mankiller profile at notable Biographies website". Notablebiographies.com. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- 1 2 "About The Project". Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ↑ "'Mankiller' Kickstarter campaign". Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ↑ "The Next Project From The Walking Dead’s Exec Producer Is Called 'Mankiller,' But It’s Not What You Think". Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Mankiller: A Heroine for the Ages". Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Mankiller Documentary Film Review". Retrieved July 17, 2017.