The Green Series–As part of our 20th-anniversary celebration, The Marjorie Luke Theater is thrilled to introduce our Green Film Series, aimed at fostering awareness and dialogue around environmental issues affecting California, particularly the Central Coast region. Our series consists of a selection of films, panel discussions, speakers, and art exhibits centered on environmental themes.
The Santa Barbara premiere of The Doctrine of Recovery traces the roots of the colonial conquest of North America to the so-called “Doctrine of Discovery,” which was issued by the Pope in 1493 and which justified the dispossession of Native populations from the lands of North America. Through the voices of four Indigenous women, the film uncovers this little-known history and advocates for a “Doctrine of Recovery” to restore social and environmental justice, reestablish harmony with the Earth, revive the sacred feminine, and ensure the survival of our species. Directed by Indigenous filmmaker Brisind (Somebody’s Daughter) and produced by former Santa Barbarian Leslee Goodman, along with Georgina Lightning of Tribal Alliance Productions, the film features an all-female cast and celebrates sacred feminism.
Three generations of Tribal women—Casey Camp-Horinek (Reservation Dogs), Crystle Lightning (Trickster, Yellowstone), Juliet Langley Hayes (Say Her Name), and Belinda Bull Shoe—unapologetically expose the influence of founding patriarchs and white supremacy in places most never thought to look, and in doing so demonstrate the ongoing and devastating formula patterned by the Doctrine of Discovery. The film won the Indigenous Futures Award from the 2023 Social Justice Film Festival; the Feature Documentary Award from the 2023 Dreamspeakers’ International Film Festival; and has received Official Selection Laurels from Red Nation International Film Festival, Imaginative Film Festival, Docs Without Borders, and others.
A discussion and Q & A will follow the film with special guest, film actor, and Ponca elder Casey Camp-Horinek.
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