"Holy Man: The USA vs Douglas White" Hits the Big Screen in Hollywood

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

LOS ANGELES – Douglas White, an elderly Lakota Sioux medicine man from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, spent the last 17 years of his life in a federal prison for a crime he did not commit.

During the making of the film, filmmakers uncovered new evidence of White's innocence

White was sent to prison for the alleged sexual abuse of his two grandsons. Years later the grandsons recanted their stories and admitted they lied in court at their grandfather's trial. Even with the new evidence, White remained in prison until his death at 89 in 2009.

This poignant story was made into a documentary film entitled, "Holy Man: The USA vs. Douglas White." The film is now playing at the Laemmle NoHo 7, in North Hollywood until tomorrow. Earlier this month, "Holy Man" played in New York City. The film's run in New York and Los Angeles is part of the 16th Annual DocuWeeks.

Being chosen as part of the International Documentary Association's DocuWeeks series shown in New York City and Los Angeles helps "Holy Man" qualify for consideration for Academy Award nominations.

"Holy Man: The USA vs. Douglas White" created by award-winning team Jennifer Jessum and Simon J. Joseph, Ph.D. The film is narrated by Martin Sheen and features Russell Means, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Arvol Looking Horse, and many other Lakota elders and leaders. The film, five years in the making, is a result of the filmmakers' 20+ years of experience on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

“We are very excited that the "Holy Man" was chosen to be part of the DocuWeeks films,”

stated Jessum to the Native News Network.

“It is being well received in the theaters it has been shown. People have been asking some great questions and giving us nice comments. ”

During the making of the film, filmmakers uncovered new evidence of White's innocence, obtained an on-screen confession, and brought the case back to federal court. "Holy Man" offers a rare glimpse into the mysterious world of Lakota religion, their intimate connection to the land, and a provocative expose of the systemic injustice that American Indians face in the criminal justice system.

"Holy Man" had its world premiere at the Boston Film Festival in 2011, won Best Documentary Feature and Best Director at the Red Nation Film Festival and Best Film and Best Cinematography at the Native American Film Festival of the Southeast. "Holy Man" recently had its European premiere at the Madeira Film Festival in Portugal.

WHAT:
Screening of "Holy Man": The USA vs. Douglas White"

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 22 - 12:05 pm, 5:05 pm pdt
Thursday, August 23 - 1:50 pm, 7:25 pm pdt

WHERE:
Laemmle NoHo 7
5240 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, California 91601

posted August 22, 2012 7:50 am edt