Rise

Rise is a powerful documentary series that first aired on Viceland in 2016. It is an insightful and thought-provoking show that is centered around highlighting and exploring the lives of Indigenous people across North and South America. This dynamic and educational program seeks to shed light on the alarming number of environmental and cultural issues that are facing the indigenous communities, further raising awareness of their unique struggles and resilience in the face of adversity.

Produced by a renowned Canadian filmmaker of Metis-Cree descent, Michelle Latimer, Rise is not your typical documentary series. It mixes thoroughly investigated journalism, compelling personal stories, and a clear and profound political standpoint to offer viewers a deep and comprehensive understanding of Indigenous life while striking a balance between despair and hope. Notably, Hendrick Bernard, the executive producer, also shares a personal link to the narrative due to his Indigenous Cherokee heritage.

The series starts off by focusing on the intense push against the Dakota Access Pipeline at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. As the series unfolds, it delves into multiple indigenous communities, taking viewers through a journey across various American continents and the challenges faced by each. Each episode is almost like a mini-documentary, with each community's concerns, resistance, and hope against various issues being foregrounded in an engaging manner.

One of the most prominent features of Rise is its distinct, immersive, and empathetic camera work. The breathtaking simplicity of each shot paired with sincere talking-heads interviews and powerful one-on-one sessions enables the series to magnify the extraordinary courage and spirit of the indigenous communities. The cinematography is immersive and sensual and often manages to find beauty amidst the grim circumstances being portrayed.

The series often maintains a tight focus on the youth of the Indigenous tribes, individuals who, while preserving their culture and traditions, are also fighting for their communities in the face of modern-day encroachment. Their stories are full of hardship, resistance, hope, and resilience and give Rise an added depth and perspective. The result is far from a grim tale of sadness and despair, but rather an honest and inspiring account of battles fought and victories won.

Another significant aspect of Rise is its assertive tone in steering away from cliched narratives surrounding Indigenous life. It paints a vivid picture of Indigenous traditions and cultures, refusing to bow to stereotypes, maintaining complexity and nuance throughout. This aspect serves to underline the deep-seated issues of colonization, genocide, and discrimination that have and continue to plague these communities.

Rise is, in essence, a tribute to Indigenous resilience, a series made with evident respect, passion, and commitment to its subject matter. The show takes a difficult subject — the struggle of Indigenous people to maintain their way of life in the face of modern challenges, and it does it with grace, heart, and unwavering determination. This show has been created with painstaking attention to detail and a willingness to tell stories that are truthful, painful, empowering, and, most importantly, necessary.

Ultimately, through exposures of environmental exploits, glimpses into ancestral ways, passionate outcries from protesters, traditional music, and striking visuals, Rise is not just a profound exploration of the vibrant and festering cultures of Indigenous communities but also a humanitarian testament to their strength and endurance. It’s a mirror to issues that are often overlooked by mainstream media, making it not only educative and enlightening, but also a catalyst for discussion and possibly, change.

By presenting a detailed, humanizing view of indigenous cultures, Rise goes beyond conventional storytelling to present a story of resilience that is both intimate and universal. Through its poignant narrative and exemplary production, Rise undeniably leaves a profound and lasting impression on the viewer’s mind, making it a must-watch for those who wish to understand and appreciate the challenges and victories of the indigenous communities across America.