This will be the first film to premiere on Thursday, September 24th for NatiVisions Film Festival at Blue Water Cinemas Parker. Support the film and your local festival. A film review by Naythen T. Lowe.
The year 1680 saw the insurgence of the Pueblo people of the Southwestern New Mexico territory against the Spanish overlords that had dominated them, their lives, their lands, and their souls for eight decades prior. 1540 saw the first wave of Spanish invasion by the conquistadors and explorers who destroyed twelve Pueblo communities. By the turn of the 17th century, Spanish leaders and their forces had taken back control with full force, and turned villages and communities into settlements of slavery and missionary duties forced upon the Indians. Then in August 1680, lead by medicine men and leaders like Po’pay and Luis Tu’pa’tú, the Pueblo revolt that conquered and drove out the Spaniard influence led to growing number of sister tribes to start kicking down the Crown that enslaved and brutalized them. The main point of contention about the background was the true motives behind it – some say it was politically geared, others say it was religiously charged, differing set ups all under the guise of impunity from consequences by the Spanish courts for decades. And here, in the documentary “No Greater Act: Pueblo Resistance” (2026), we have the academic and tribal historian recollection of what was the timeline and events of the entirety of the Indigenous strength and survival of a people.
There is a grand execution of journalistic nature to the filmmaking of this documentary, matched with an impressive and immersive production showcasing the Pueblo experience and livelihood of a people that stand stronger today. Narrated by Academy Award winner Wes Studi, the direction of the production relies heavily on the recounted interviews of the Pueblo community members and guests – from the academic circles to the former tribal council folks who hold the stories and testaments of the events/profiles/persons around the 1680 Revolt that deserve more spotlight to craft the entire picture. The strongest aspect of the documentary is in the editing and pacing, as the film’s presentation is smooth and steady on allowing the audience to fully envelop themselves into the time period through usage of artists renditions that colors each moment and sense of history. Not a stitch of what is shared and chronicled is made to be deterring or frustrating with the overload of knowledge on Pueblo community ties, the atrocities enacted by the Spanish, and the aftermaths of what led the Pueblo to establish more of their voices and presence through the decades to follow into the present day. If there was one grievance that I had with the film, there’s an inconsistent usage of generative AI imagery that I felt should’ve been made known for the sake of not confusing authentic artist rendition pieces alongside AI generated visuals that honestly doesn’t match or lend much other than filler for what could’ve called for actual artists to collaborate on (true stories deserve true artworks). Otherwise, there is a sincerity and greatness of composure for the filmmakers and those involved in the production to want to be able to craft and relate the documented history of a proud people who are making sure this is always going to be their story. “No Greater Act: Pueblo Resistance” proves that there is always a platform of Indigenous folks ready to sound and share the stories of our overcome adversity and survival into today.
2/4 Seals
Review written by CRIT Media Tech Naythen T. Lowe
