The Children Have to Hear Another Story: An Alanis Obomsawin Retrospective on View This Spring at MoMA PS1, New York
January 21, 2025
MoMA PS1 is proud to present The Children Have to Hear Another Story: An Alanis Obomsawin Retrospective, the first comprehensive survey of the work of renowned Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin. This exhibition will provide an unparalleled opportunity to witness the extraordinary scope and depth of Obomsawin’s cinematic vision, encompassing over 50 years of groundbreaking storytelling.
A Trailblazing Filmmaker
Alanis Obomsawin is a pioneering force in Indigenous cinema, whose films have played a transformative role in shaping the representation and understanding of Indigenous experiences in Canada and beyond. With over 50 films to her credit, Obomsawin has consistently used her platform to amplify marginalized voices, challenge dominant narratives, and inspire meaningful dialogue.
A Retrospective of a Lifetime
The Children Have to Hear Another Story will feature a selection of Obomsawin’s most iconic works, spanning her early documentaries to her recent experimental films. Visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in the filmmaker’s unique storytelling style, marked by its empathetic gaze, poetic sensibilities, and unwavering commitment to artistic independence.
Highlights of the Retrospective
- Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993): This seminal film documents the 1990 armed standoff between Mohawk protestors and the Canadian government over the expansion of a golf course on sacred Mohawk land.
- Rocks at Whiskey Trench (2000): A personal meditation on the legacy of the residential school system in Canada, narrated by Obomsawin’s own mother.
- The Event (2015): A groundbreaking film that challenges the dominant narrative surrounding the 1990 Oka Crisis, incorporating live-action, animation, and archival footage.
- Jordan’s Principle (2019): A powerful documentary that explores the systemic failures that have led to the deaths of countless Indigenous children in Canada.
- Our People Will Be Healed (2023): Obomsawin’s latest film, a poetic and intimate portrait of the resilience and healing of the Abenaki people.
A Call to Action
The Children Have to Hear Another Story is more than just a retrospective; it is a call to action. Obomsawin’s films serve as urgent reminders of the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous peoples and the urgent need for reconciliation and social justice. Through her art, she challenges us to confront our own complicity in the systemic oppression of Indigenous communities.
Exhibition Details
The Children Have to Hear Another Story will be on view at MoMA PS1 from March 19 to June 25, 2025. The exhibition is organized by MoMA PS1 and curated by T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss.
Additional Information
- Film Screenings: In conjunction with the exhibition, MoMA PS1 will host a series of film screenings featuring Obomsawin’s work.
- Educational Programs: The museum will offer a range of educational programs to accompany the exhibition, including lectures, workshops, and community outreach initiatives.
- Catalogue: A comprehensive catalogue will be published in conjunction with the exhibition, featuring essays by leading scholars and critics.
MoMA PS1 is deeply honored to present The Children Have to Hear Another Story, a testament to Alanis Obomsawin’s extraordinary artistic legacy and her unwavering commitment to social justice. Visitors are invited to witness the power of her storytelling and to be inspired by her tireless advocacy for a more just and equitable world.
The Children Have to Hear Another Story: An Alanis Obomsawin retrospective on view this spring at MoMA PS1, New York
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