CVNC: An Online Arts Journal in North Carolina | ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)

Discussion, Film

RiverRun International Film Festival: ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)

Through 10/30: RiverRun International Film Festival Shares with North Carolinians ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)
Film Review by Karen E. Moorman, October 18, 2023

( Mon., Oct. 16, 2023 - Mon., Oct. 30, 2023 )

Remote: Zoom, , , NC

Program

The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity; yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a State of Emergency for the language in 2019. While there are 430,000 Cherokee citizens, fewer than an estimated 1,500 fluent speakers remain. Through intimate interviews, vérité footage of community gatherings, and extensive archival materials, the film follows various Cherokee community members as they continue the long fight to help save the language.

Notes

The RiverRun International Film Festival is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Founded in 1998, RiverRun is a competitive event that annually showcases new films from both established and emerging filmmakers around the world. Each spring, RiverRun screens new narrative, documentary, short, student and animated films, offering both audience and jury prizes in competition categories.