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Sweetheart Dancers

Ben-Alex Dupris

Sweetheart Dancers
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Indigenous dancers Sean and Adrian challenge the rulebook of San Manuel's Native American Sweetheart Special as they attempt to compete in the annual couple's competition. Dancing not only against the other dancers, but against the drums of oppression and closed-mindedness, this two-spirit couple is determined to rewrite the rules of "one man, one woman" with their resplendent charisma, character and resilience.

Director, Ben-Alex Dupris explains the origin of the film. "This story is rooted in an incident where the first Two Spirit couple, Sean Snyder and Adrian Stevens, decided to enter a Sweetheart special competition at one big influential powwow. This had never been attempted before in modern tribal dance circles and they were disqualified for not adhering to the rule of the "one man, one woman" competition.  This led to a year of reflection, and thoughtful preparation for the next year where they courageously returned to the same powwow and were allowed to compete. This success story of resilience, and the action of love provided a talking point that spans decades of colonization with Indigenous communities.  Prior to the Catholic boarding school era, LGBTQIA were accepted and respected by Native people.  This story, and the spiritual renewal of our sacred Identities is one that leaves the audience with a greater understanding of our tribal lifeways. Within our hearts we are all one."

Sweetheart Dancers was directed by Ben-Alex Dupris, an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington State, where he grew up.
"[T]he expert cinematography and editing make Adrian and Sean’s relationship and emotion immediately legible. When they’re first turned away from competition by organizers who insist that “a couple must consist of two people. One man. One woman,” you feel their devastation intimately. A year later, when they win third place at a sweetheart dance open to all partners, you feel their elation and their love just as keenly." – Washington City Paper

Subjects:

Indigenous Studies:

Regions:

Credits

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Sweetheart Dancers 


SCREENINGS & AWARDS

Grand Jury Award, Best Short Documentary, OUT Fest, US, 2019

Grand Jury Award, Best Short Documentary, Audience Award, "Out On Film" Atlanta LQTBQ Film Fest, US, 2019

Best Short Film, Lumbee Native Film Festival, US, 2019

Competition, Best Short Film, New Orleans Film Festival, US, 2019

Competition, Best Short Film, Palm Springs International Film Festival, US, 2019

Competition, Best Short Film, American Indian Film Festival, US, 2019

Competition, Best Short Film, Mountain Film, US, 2019

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, US, 2019

Seattle International Film Festival, US 2019

Cine Las Americas, US, 2019

Cucalorus Film Festival, US, 2019

Frameline, San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival, US, 2019

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, US, 2019

AFI Docs Film Festival, US, 2019

Film Independent’s “The New Wave”, US, 2019

Hot Springs Film Festival, US, 2019

People of the Plains Visionmaker Film Festival, US, 2019

Way OUT West Film Fest, US, 2019

North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, US, 2019

Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, US, 2019

One Heart Native Film Fest, US, 2019

Bushwick Film Festival, US, 2019

Blackstar Film Festival, US, 2019

Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest London, UK, 2019

Aspen Shortfest, US, 2019

Sun Valley Film Festival, US, 2019

Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest, UK, 2019

Shining Mountains Film Festival, US, 2019

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival, US, 2019

Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, US, 2019




EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Rahdi Taylor, Davis Guggenheim


DIRECTOR

Ben-Alex Dupris


CONSULTING PRODUCERS

Heather Rae and Jon Reiss


EDITOR

Derek Doneen


DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Shaandiin Tome


ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS

Ceylon Grey, Alex Goetz


COMPOSER

Lillie Rebecca McDonough

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