A documentary about a Native American tribe in Oklahoma will observe its world premiere this month at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The lineup of 99 films, which will be presented on Jan. 19-29, includes “Bad Press.”
Angel Ellis is just trying to do her job. She’s a reporter for Mvskoke Media in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and she wants to give her readers access to all the information relevant to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. But that’s not an easy task, given that Angel and her colleagues believe in truth and transparency and aren’t afraid to challenge the integrity of some questionable tribal officials.
During an emergency session at the National Council, where the 2015 Free Press Act is repealed, Mvskoke Media’s independent editorial board is dissolved, and the newspaper is placed under the direction of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Now the real fight begins.
Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, executive director of the Native American Journalists Association who earned a journalism degree at the University of Oklahoma, and documentary director/editor Joe Peeler tell a nuanced tale of a modern Native American community fighting for transparency and access to information in order to hold their government accountable. “Bad Press” is full of humor, humanity, and numerous twists and turns.