I really do wish that AMC Plus would consider hosting all of the existing audio description, especially for its own AMC, IFC, and Shuddder titles. It actively makes them look like they are trying to dismiss the accessibility needs of a disenfranchised population. Hey, look, it’s a documentary about a disenfranchised population. What are the odds?

I watched this without audio description, and while I’m sure this could have been made better, this is a pretty straight forward exploration of how we have continuously screwed over the indigenous populations of this country, especially the titular Lakota Nation. This has quite a bit of its own narration, as it explains everything you need to know, almost like a Ted Talk or seminar, but I felt so much more informed on issues and ideas removed from my own that I didn’t really mind the lack of audio description here. yes, I exist almost entirely to advocate for audio description, and also to remind others that blind people do watch film, but I’m shockingly fair. I think the benefits of seeing this film regardless outweigh waiting to find audio description. If you have a chance to see this documentary, do it. I feel pretty certain this is my favorite documentary of 2023, which had a lot of truly terrific documentaries.

I’m saddened this didn’t make the Oscar shortlist, but last year’s snub of Good Night Opi highlights that the Documentary branch is in a bubble unto their own.

I tend to like documentaries that inform me, or give me fresh perspective as well, and a lot of these documentaries about people really need to break the mold somehow to really reach the top. I’m someone who wanted The Cove to end up in the Best Picture race. I saw that in theatres, and I was speechless. Floored. If any documentary ever deserved to truly break into the big race, The Cove had my vote. But, in recent years, Navolni and Attica have topped my list, documentaries that demand your attention and rally social change. Lakota Nation vs United States does just that, with or without audio description. The subject matter is important, and hearing these voices that are so often silenced is something that I fully support.

Absorb this film however you can, as soon as you can.

Final Grade: A