Two Powerful Docs 'Remaining Native' and 'Under the Flags' Vie for Oscar
Two powerful documentaries, 'Remaining Native' and 'Under the Stars, the Sun', are set to compete in the Oscar race this year. Both films delve into complex historical and personal narratives, offering unique perspectives on Indigenous experiences and Cold War intrigue.
Paige Bethmann's 'Remaining Native' focuses on Ku Stevens, a talented Indigenous athlete from a Paiute reservation in Nevada. Ku hopes to earn a scholarship to the University of Oregon, but grapples with the internal conflict of leaving his roots and family history behind to join an elite track program.
Ku's great-grandfather, a survivor of the notorious Indian boarding school system, made a 50-mile trek to escape and return home. This poignant family history adds depth to Ku's struggle.
Meanwhile, Juanjo Pereira's 'Under the Stars, the Sun' examines Paraguay's role as a linchpin in the CIA-coordinated Operation Condor program during the Cold War. The documentary reveals how Paraguay, under military dictator Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, routinely disappeared and killed perceived leftist political opponents with the backing of successive U.S. administrations.
Notorious Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele is believed to have found refuge in Paraguay and served as a personal physician to Gen. Stroessner, further highlighting the country's dark past.
Both 'Remaining Native' and 'Under the Stars, the Sun' offer compelling narratives that shed light on under-explored aspects of history and contemporary issues. They are Paraguay and the United States' official entries for the Oscar Best International Feature Film category this year.
