US (1985): Documentary
This film presents a moving account of the forced relocation of 12,000 Navajo Indians that took place in Northern Arizona. The United States government claims that by moving the Navajo off the land, it was settling a long-standing territorial dispute between the Navajo and Hopi Tribes. To the traditional Navajo and Hopi, there is no dispute. They believe relocation was designed to facilitate energy development.
Beautifully photographed and scored, Broken Rainbow captures the majesty of sacred Indian lands, and the devastating effect that mining, forced relocation and stock reduction has had on the land and its people. Navajo and Hopi describe eloquently how a century of bureaucratic racism has affected their lives. "There is no word for relocation in the Navajo language; to relocate is to disappear and never be seen again." 25 per-cent of the first group of Navajo adults who were relocated were dead within six years.
This film speaks for all indigenous people who are struggling to survive as individuals and as distinct cultures in the fact of Western technology and values. The film is an appeal from the Earth herself, as it has become impossible in America today to separate environmental issues from Native American survival.
Directed by Maria Florio and Victoria Mudd. In addition to winning the Oscar® for 1985 Best Documentary, Broken Rainbow was awarded the Cine Golden Eagle Award, the American Indian Film Festival Award Best Documentary, and was Grand Prize Winner World Television Festival, Tokyo, Japan. (Video Document)
1 nomination, 1 Award
· Documentary (Features) 1985: Maria Florio & Victoria Mudd - Producers
