Older Than America is 2008 American suspense drama film directed by Georgina Lightning and starring Adam Beach, Wes Studi, Georgina Lightning and Bradley Cooper.
The film explores and highlights the impact of the "culture-killing" effects of the typical Native American experience in boarding schools in the 1900s and other inter-social relationships between the Native American people and the dominant European based American culture.
“Older than America” is the story of a woman’s haunting visions that reveal a Catholic priest’s sinister plot to silence her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that occurred at a Native American Indian boarding school.
It is a contemporary drama about suspense, as “Older than America” delves into the lasting impact of the cultural genocide that occurred at Indian boarding schools across the United States and Canada.
Lightning states, the film “covers the root of the problem that caused our Native nation to be in the state that it is in today -- the film exposes the reality of the murders and violence that happened in the Indian boarding school system.”
“Older than America” stars: Adam Beach (Flags of our Fathers, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Bradley Cooper (Hangover, He’s Just Not That Into You, Wedding Crashers”), Tantoo Cardinal (Smoke Signals, Legends of the Fall, Mothers and Daughters), Georgina Lightning (Christmas in the Clouds, West Wing) and Wes Studi (Avatar, Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans).
“Older than America” was Executive Produced by Audrey Martinez of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians in Highland, CA, and “Older than America” received crucial financial support from the San Manuels, as well as the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. (Source)
The film explores and highlights the impact of the "culture-killing" effects of the typical Native American experience in boarding schools in the 1900s and other inter-social relationships between the Native American people and the dominant European based American culture.
“Older than America” is the story of a woman’s haunting visions that reveal a Catholic priest’s sinister plot to silence her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that occurred at a Native American Indian boarding school.
It is a contemporary drama about suspense, as “Older than America” delves into the lasting impact of the cultural genocide that occurred at Indian boarding schools across the United States and Canada.
Lightning states, the film “covers the root of the problem that caused our Native nation to be in the state that it is in today -- the film exposes the reality of the murders and violence that happened in the Indian boarding school system.”
“Older than America” stars: Adam Beach (Flags of our Fathers, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Bradley Cooper (Hangover, He’s Just Not That Into You, Wedding Crashers”), Tantoo Cardinal (Smoke Signals, Legends of the Fall, Mothers and Daughters), Georgina Lightning (Christmas in the Clouds, West Wing) and Wes Studi (Avatar, Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans).
“Older than America” was Executive Produced by Audrey Martinez of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians in Highland, CA, and “Older than America” received crucial financial support from the San Manuels, as well as the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. (Source)
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Seen it! I don't know if saying I "enjoyed" it is appropriate, but I found it very interesting. Of course, anything with Adam Beach, Wes Studi, or Tantoo Cardinal, is gonna get watched in my home.
I don't know why I called myself anonymous.....I'm not shy about how I feel for those tremendous actors. Gonna fix that.
I am a survivor.
I cried alone.
This was a great movie but sad that anyone would be treated so horrible.I have never agreed with how the white man just came in and stole your land and treated you the way you were.Thank you for sharing this for me to watch.
I cried with you, not because I survived the boarding school, but the foster care system. made mints meat out of me and my 5 siblings...I cry too........for myself and my ancestors that had to live these lives such a way, while many look the other way, It's time to PUT THIS HISTORY IN THE HISTORY BOOKS, So maybe we can attempt to right the wrong, it's not revenge but restitution that is needed here.
I love being First Nation, no more need to hold my head down.
Very moving, informative and ultimately uplifting movie. I can only hope it inspires people to become, or stay, Traditional. I'm glad this movie was made. These sort of atrocities need to see the light of day. Everyone knows what happened to the Jews. They need to know what happened to us. All of it. For respect, not revenge. I believe our people would benefit from respect. I think it would change some things. How would our children feel if they were given that respect instead of what many have to face now when they are off rez? It's much nicer to get a smile and nod than it is to hear derogatory slurs, or be bullied, or laughed at. Think about it.
I remember being told about the things that were done , I remember my Grandfather not talking of his ancestors. I never understood why. My mother was not native , still she wanted us to know just how cruel people could be. what was right and wrong. Thank you for sharing this moving film with all.
Unfortunately this is not old history, it is happening still today. Everyone of of Indigenous decent, I implore you to make yourself more aware of your brothers and sisters living TODAY in the other America, the one known as South America. Same story, as if following an instruction book on cultural genocide.
these things still exist today even for the white people. yes the churches have done these things to many, many, many others; all over the world. i don't understand, i don't think i will ever understand. it makes me cry.
these movies need to be made. people need to know what has happened, and is still happening to the group home & foster home kids.
i remember the priest in mandatory church would look at his most recent victim during his sermons. that is how all us kids knew which one.
if i were to guess. i'd say if jesus did come back, it would be to build a memorial to all the holocaust victims. that is sad, plain and simple.
I read the Catholic church and priests are mentioned here. Let it be known that the Catholic Church is a sheep in wolfs clothing, it is not truly Christian. During the dark ages the Catholic Church was in power and tortured people... yes even white people!! The true Christians had to go underground. If they were caught they were beheaded and their heads stuck on a stake for birds to feed on.. Don't be fooled Catholic is not truly Christian. The Word of God really came to us from the Jews and the apostles from long ago. Christianity itself was not born until Jesus Christ came. There can be good and evil in any organization even so called Churchs. The key is discernment. There are good true Christian folks out there just don't throw the baby out with the bath water as the old saying goes.
When I was a child growing up in Chippewa Falls, WI, I asked my mother where all of the Indians went and she did have an answer. I also grew up Catholic and am from an Eastern European culture. I had no idea of the truths presented in the story and my heart is very heavy. Please accept my apology for the crimes of the Europeans and Catholics on the Native American people. It is time for the greed, power and domination within the living DNA and lifeblood the "wealthy" cultures of this world to be viewed it the light of truth, wisdom, love, honesty, morality, consciousness, character and integrity. Thank you for sharing this disturbing information. My apology extends back in time to the beginning of time. May our Creator forgive all of us for our sins against ourselves, our brothers and sisters. Peace be with you.
Do we get to see it in the UK, or is it to be another of those "Behind closed door movies" due to distribution rights etc.?
I SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE MOVIE WILL BE ON AND WHAT STATION IF IT IS ON TV
http://putlocker.is/watch-older-than-america-online-free-putlocker.html