“End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock” is a story of four North American women, all members of the Lakota tribe. Directed by Shannon Kring, the documentary follows the women who endanger their lives as they try to stop the construction of Dakota Access pipeline, across their own land in North Dakota. The peaceful demonstrations were worldwide news in the spring of 2016. The documentarist Shannon Kring was present as the demonstrations started and photographed everything until the events were forced to stop.

Documentary “End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock” is a co-production between US-based Red Queen Media, Playart Productions and Solar Films. The premire will be in the fall of 2018.

The events started as five members of Standing Rock sioux people established a peaceful camp, to demonstrate against the Dakota Access pipeline in the April of 2016. According to the sioux, the pipeline is a black, poisonous snake that already their forefathers foresaw and warned about. The Lakotas belong to sioux people.

Instead of focusing to the demonstrations, the central role of the story was taken by four female members of the Lakota people and their fight against the multinational oil conglomerates. As the protest exceeded over a year, each woman had to take their own part as a leader and juxtapose the meaning of the demonstration against their own identity and their families. The documentary is also a universal story about how native people all over the world still have to fight for their rights for clean water, the use of land and their own way of life.

The women presented in the documentary will visit Finland next week. This is the first time a Lakota delegation of this size will be on Finnish soil. In co-operation with the delegation, The Faculty of Arts / Indigenous Studies of the University of Helsinki will organize a panel discussion on Wednesday. A press conference about the movie will be held at the premises of Allas Sea Pool after the panel discussion.

Panel discussion

Wednesday May 23rd 16.00-18.00
Athena Auditorium
Faculty of Educational Sciences
Siltavuorenpenger 3, Kruunuhaka, Helsinki
https://www.facebook.com/events/1664934656960273/

Three members of Lakota people LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Sky Roosevelt-Morris and Pearl Daniel-Means will all speak at the panel discussion. The matriarch of Ogala Lakota family, Lula Red Cloud, the great-great-great grandchild of Chief Red Cloud will present her first declaration about the subject. Several renowned water protectionists will also take part in the discussion, which will be moderated by Rani-Henrik Anderson, PhD. A short excerpt of the movie will also be screened.

Press conference

Wednesday May 23rd 19.00-21.00
Allas Sea Pool
Katajanokanlaituri 2a, katajanokka, Helsinki
Accreditations: [email protected]
Director Shannon Kring will give a short presentation about the film and producers Sophie Ehrnrooth and Jukka Helle will answer questions. A short excerpt of the movie will also be screened.

Production information

Director
Shannon Kring

Executive producers
Shannon Kring, Sophia Ehrnrooth, Jukka Helle and Pearl Daniel-Means

Central characters
Phyllis Young
Wašté Win Young
Sky Roosevelt Morris
LaDonna Brave Bull Allard

Production
Red Queen Media, Playart Productions, Solar Films

Television rights / Finland
YLE