IFC Films Presents Documentary 'Lakota Nation VS. United States' Starting July 14

The pivotal feature documentary Lakota Nation vs. United States--about the Lakota Nations’ continued struggle to reclaim the Black Hills from United States control--will be released by IFC Films in select theaters in NYC on July 14, 2023, and LA on July 21. Prior to the 14th, IFC will screen a sneak preview of the film at IFC Center on June 27, hosting a Q&A with directors Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, and Executive Producer Mark Ruffalo.

The film was directed by Jesse Short Bull (Istinma) and Laura Tomaselli (MLK/FBI, Surge) and produced in association with XTR. Co-EPs include Ruffalo, Marisa Tomei and Sarah Eagle Heart. Audio studio Mr. Bronx's Eric Hoffman served as supervising sound editor.

Click here to view the newly released trailer.

The documentary highlights the significance of the Black Hills to the Očéti Šakówiŋ people, and how it’s been repeatedly stolen from them across American history: from the arrival of the first Europeans in 1492, to the breaking of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 amidst the gold rush, to the desecration of The Six Grandfathers to carve Mount Rushmore. The film explores the attempted erasure of the Lakota to service this exploitation and is among the first to chronicle the ongoing fight to reclaim their sacred land. 

Hoffman crafted the ethereal sound design for the documentary, blending the natural sounds of the Black Hills with surreal tones and lush soundscapes that meld into the score by composer Raven Chacon, who was the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2022. Hoffman provided the final sound mix weaving interviews with these elements as well as narration by Layli Long Soldier of her written work, in collaboration with the filmmakers Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli, Benjamin Hedin (MLK/FBI, Two Trains Runnin’), and Phil Pinto (MLK/FBI).

The documentary features interviews with activists and founders of the current #landback movement Nick Tilsen and Krystal Two Bulls, among others, with music by Jonny Greenwood, Nine Inch Nails, Amulets, and more, and cinematography by Kevin Phillips.