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"Hidden
Medicine is an experimental, mystical film that deals with
the
relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the
environment. The story takes place in Onondaga Nation
Territory with appearances by Chief Oren Lyons, Clan
Mother Audrey Shenandoah, Horst Rechelbacher, and Candace
B. Pert. A young girl, played by Dakota René, has a dream
about a traditional runner who takes a crucial message
from his clan to the United Nations. The film beautifully
weaves story, poetry, music and politics, creating an
impending sense of our planet's struggle to survive."
- Heather Rae / Sundance Film Festival
Alter-native
artist Robby/Red Thunder's motion picture project is
entitled Hidden Medicine, a film in support
of legislation now pending in Congress to protect the
remaining four percent of America’s forests. Hidden
Medicine was written, directed and scored by Robby and
produced by Roland Joffé, known for helming films such as
The Killing Fields, The Mission and The Scarlet Letter.
Hidden Medicine was executive produced by Horst
Rechelbacher, founder of Intelligent Nutrients and AVEDA,
environmental beauty and health care companies; and
co-written by Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the
Onondaga Nation and professor of Native American Studies
at the University of Buffalo, New York. Shot on location
with the Onondaga Nation, Robby’s unique film style
seamlessly weaves together music and poetry with vital
information.
Hidden Medicine screened November 23, 2000 at the United
Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and aired on Sundance
Channel January 1st, 2001, with an appeal to encourage
viewers to take immediate action regarding The Act to Save
America’s Forests and the National Forest Protection and
Restoration Act. Prefaced by Robert Redford, Hidden
Medicine premiered during the 1999 Sundance Film
Festival.
As an eagle travels through the light of darkness soaring
on rays of beauty to the face of creation, a child
appears. With innocence and clarity, she begins to speak.
Her words are like poetry. She speaks of a dream of Native
prophecies handed down through the Wisdom Keepers, the
caretakers of the earth. In her dream she finds herself
among the Onondaga Nation People.
Through
the traditional story telling of their Clan Mothers,
Chiefs and Faithkeeper, the warnings of their spiritual
leaders are given to a Sacred Runner. The runner has been
chosen to take the message to the industrial nations,
asking them to change their path of destruction and
sorrow. With honor and enthusiasm he accepts. Protected by
the spirit guide, the runner travels from the ancient
forest to the modern city - his journey is encouraging.
Finally, he reaches the United Nations only to be turned
away.
Disenchanted,
the runner is lost for a brief moment. Suddenly, the
spirit guide enters the runner with a vision to guide him
home. On his return, in the wake of the Sacred Run, the
child's dream shifts and now moves with a Neuroscientist
as she realizes the power of combining modern technology
and ancient wisdom. Then, deep in the forest, the dream
passes through an Environmental Architect who discovers a
design for life.
With
the spirit guide, the Sacred Runner returns home to
Onondaga. The child begins to feel sad and lonely as the
voice in her dream talks about what is to come. The Clan
Mothers, Hi Chiefs and Faithkeeper are not surprised of
the news and offer hope. The child learns what the
industrial nations call resources are her relatives. She
is asked to look to them for help, to look for the Hidden
Medicine.
Directed
by Robby Romero, Hidden Medicine is produced by Roland
JoffŽ and executive produced by Horst Rechelbacher.
Written by Robby Romero and Oren Lyons, the short film
stars Dakota Rene, Oren Lyons, Author and Environmentalist
Horst Rechelbacher, Dr. Candace B. Pert and Architect
William McDonough. The music is written and performed by Robby Romero & Red Thunder.
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