In Theaters or Watch at Home 11.11.2022

Being Thunder

Directed by Stéphanie Lamorré
Film Movement
2021
85 Minutes
France
English
Documentary, LGBTQIA2S+
Not Rated
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Sherenté, a Two Spirit Genderqueer teenager from Rhode Island's Narragansett tribe performs in dance competitions at annual regional powwows of New England tribes. There is no formal rule which prohibits Two Spirit Genderqueer people from competing in a category different from their birth gender. Wearing female fancy shawl regalia, Sherenté dances with joy and beauty. Behind the scenes, tribal leaders manipulate Sherenté's scores or disqualify them outright because of their belief in traditional binary gender roles. Blindsided by ongoing dishonesty and deception, Sherenté continues to perform in spite of insensitive behavior by tribal leaders and others in their community. Sherenté's enduring courage and self-respect are met with an outpouring of support from family, powwow attendees, and fellow competitors.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Stéphanie Lamorré
  • Starring: Sherente Harris

Where to Watch

Streaming Apple TV Apple TV Canada Fandango At Home Amazon

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "Sherente's story is revelatory and powerful. A must-see."
    Jennie Livingston, Director of PARIS IS BURNING
  • "There are still vanishingly few films which touch on Native American issues at all so this has significant value...."
    Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film
  • "Being Thunder is a welcome and insightful portrait of Two-Spiritedness that uses Sherenté’s openness and resilience to explore a facet of both the rainbow and Indigenous culture that remains under-examined in film and media. Sherenté provides a worthy role model for queer youths."
    Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
  • "While many Native American tribes embrace Two-spirit souls, the indigenous term for people who embody both masculine and feminine qualities, the moving documentary “Being Thunder” shows that gender expansive people face as much discrimination in indigenous communities as they do in other parts of society. "
    Jude Dry, IndieWire
  • "Being Thunder is a meditative, unintrusive documentary about a courageous Indigenous teenager who unapologetically strives for greatness against all types of resistance."
    Jen McNeely, She Does the City
  • "It's an impressive depiction of the culture, as well as a powerful exploration of a range of urgent themes."
    Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
  • " There’s color and diversity and joy in a doc that looks forward into the future."
    Paolo Kagaoan, In The Seats
Official Selection
Inside Out Film Festival
Official Selection
Frameline
Official Selection
NewFest
Official Selection
American Indian Film Festival
Winner
Jury Award – Honorable Mention Documentary Feature
Durango Film: An Independent Film Festival