Film Lens
The film centers on linguist Indrek Park, who has dedicated over ten years to working with Native American languages. It focuses on his efforts to record the Mandan language, spoken by the Mandan tribe in North Dakota, specifically along the Missouri River. The urgency of his task is underscored by the fact that he is working with Edwin Benson, an 84-year-old man who is the last native speaker of Mandan.
Park's work is portrayed as both a responsibility and a race against time, as the survival of the Mandan language hangs in the balance. The film captures the intimate process of language preservation and the significance of cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of documenting languages that are at risk of disappearing.
Why Watch
- •Meet Edwin Benson, the last Mandan speaker.
- •Follow Indrek Park's urgent language preservation efforts.
- •See the Mandan tribe's culture in North Dakota.
Did You Know
•Indrek Park has worked with Native American languages for over ten years.
•Edwin Benson, the last native speaker of Mandan, is 84 years old.
•The Mandan tribe resides in North Dakota, along the Missouri River.
•The film has a duration of 74 minutes.
Perfect For
Linguistics enthusiastsNative American cultureLanguage preservation