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Deep Dive: The Seventh Fire (2015)

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The Seventh Fire
The Seventh Fire is a documentary that follows Rob Brown, a Native American gang leader, and his 17-year-old protégé, Kevin Fineday Jr., on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. The film addresses the impact of violent drug culture on their community, particularly as Rob faces his fifth prison sentence and reflects on his role in this issue. Kevin, on the other hand, aspires to become a powerful figure in the gang scene, illustrating the generational cycle of crime and aspiration within the reservation. Directed by Jack Pettibone Riccobono, the film was shot over two and a half years, beginning in January 2011, and includes insights into the Ojibwe Seven fires prophecy, which the title references. The production involved notable figures such as executive producer Terrence Malick and Native American filmmaker Chris Eyre, who joined the project in 2012. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2015 and was later screened at the White House in March 2016 as part of a discussion on criminal justice reform.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Rob Brown, a Native American gang leader.
  • •Follow Kevin Fineday Jr.'s rise in the gang world.
  • •See the impact of drug culture on Native communities.

Did You Know

•Rob Brown was sentenced to prison for the fifth time during the film.
•Production required 14 shoots over two and a half years.
•The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 7, 2015.
•The soundtrack features tracks by Native rappers Chase Manhattan and Tall Paul.

Perfect For

Native American issuesGang cultureDocumentary enthusiasts