Who Controls the Land
Who Controls the Land

Movie spotlight

Who Controls the Land

2018
Movie
51 min
English

Native American actor Martin Sensmeier travels to San Juan County, Utah, to investigate the controversy over the Bears Ears National Monument. While there, he learns how the fight over the monument is just one more battle in a long-running war between the county's Native American citizens and their Mormon neighbors over who will control the future of the county. His journey reveals how voting rights denied by the Mormons have led to the marginalization of their Native neighbors and learns about the long history of looting of sacred archeological sites in the county.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: David R. RodriguezGenres: Documentary, Social

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the complex and often contentious issue of land ownership and control in the United States, focusing on how historical policies and current economic forces shape who has access to and power over land. It examines the impact on various communities, particularly marginalized ones, and questions the systems that perpetuate inequality.

Critical Reception

"Who Controls the Land" received a mixed to positive reception, with critics often praising its timely exploration of a critical societal issue and its investigative approach. Some reviewers found the film to be insightful and thought-provoking, highlighting its success in bringing attention to often overlooked land disparities. However, a few critics noted that the documentary could sometimes feel unfocused, attempting to cover too broad a range of issues within its runtime.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its important examination of land ownership issues.

  • Commended for its investigative depth and raising awareness.

  • Some found the scope a bit too broad, potentially diluting its impact.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this documentary is not readily available in public archives.

Fun Fact

The documentary was filmed across various regions of the United States to showcase diverse examples of land control issues, from urban gentrification to rural land consolidation.

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