Drowned Land – Movie Review
4th World Media Lab and the cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.
First Reaction – Drowned Land is an important, informative documentary.
Director: Colleen Thurston
Plot: Kiamichi River preservation fight amidst Indigenous land loss cycle. Explores Choctaw Nation’s reckoning with territorial rights and community impact.
Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on Drowned Land
Recap
Drowned Land follows a filmmaking exploring the history of the Indigenous people trying to get their land back. They live on the Kiamichi River preserve, and their history has been moved, changed and forgotten. The movie follows the journey through history and explores the different moments which change history forever.
Best Parts
The movie gives us an important look into the history of the indigenous people of America and how they lost everything to the invading Americans. It is one of many stories of native people who were forced out of their homes and killed. The idea of following the campaign to get their land back and protect the future is important, and is shown in the court case to return it. When it comes to importance in documentaries, this is a perfect example of how important understand the wrongs committed.
Worst Parts
While this is important and the people affected are facing an impossible situation. It doesn’t hit as hard as it could with the ‘We Need Help or Change’ as many other documentaries. This is partially because it wants to keep things calm to respect the people involved.
Final Thoughts –Drowned Land is an important message to show a more tragic history.
