May and June films at DOCUTAH cover a wide variety of American history

Films shown in May and June at The Electric Theater as part of the 2016 DOCUTAH documentary film festival will focus on both contemporary and historic events in American history.

On May 27, DOCUTAH presents “Off the Rez,” which tells the story of a Native American family in Oregon that leaves the reservation in pursuit of the American dream on behalf of one of their eight children, a 16-year-old girl who is one of the best high school basketball players in the country. Four generations of strong Native American women from the Umatilla Nation struggle together to preserve their traditions in the unforgiving world of big-time American high school sports. The film will be hosted by nine-time Emmy award-winning producer, director, writer, and editor Jonathon Hock.

“This documentary, which was part of a series on ESPN’s ‘30 for 30,’ is a film about tradition and breaking tradition, about stereotypes and defeating those stereotypes, about one girl’s struggle seen as a microcosm of the struggle of her people,” said Phil Tuckett, executive director of DOCUTAH . “It is a remarkable film which does not take sides but rather reveals the strength of generations to overcome deprivation and move on with their lives.”

On June 24, DOCUTAH will screen “The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb.” The film is a haunting journey through the dawn of the nuclear age and an incisive history of humanity’s most dubious achievement and the man behind it — J. Robert Oppenheimer, the principal architect of the atomic bomb. Featuring archival footage and commentary from scientists and soldiers directly involved with the Manhattan Project, this gripping film is a fascinating look at the scope and power of the Nuclear Age. The film will be hosted by director Jon Else.

“This Oscar-nominated documentary has lessons for the world in which we find ourselves facing the dangers of terrorism, tribalism, and, perhaps nuclear proliferation,” said Tuckett.

The films will be shown at the Electric Theater in St. George at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door the evening of the film or from Christina Merrill at the Jennings Building on the campus of DSU between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Upcoming films at The Electric Theater

May 27: “Off the Rez”
June 24: “The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb”
July 29: “The Great American Cowboy”
August 26: TBA

DOCUTAH ’s mission is to enlighten, entertain, and envision the world through documentary film. As such, it is an integral part of the performing arts at Dixie State University and a perfect fit for the performing and cultural arts program at DSU.