In the Land of My Ancestors celebrates the legacy of beloved Ohlone elder Ann-Marie Sayers. Sayers has devoted her life to preserving the stories and culture of her Indigenous ancestors. This documentary challenges viewers to consider the perilous impact of colonization on the Ohlone people in the Bay Area. It also follows Sayers as she provides a refuge in the sacred Indian Canyon for Indigenous people to reclaim their culture, spirituality, and heritage.
Director Bio:
Rucha Chitnis is a photojournalist, writer, and an emerging filmmaker. Her stories highlight the power and agency of women rising up and raising their voices against ecological chaos and economic inequities. Her work elevates a narrative of hope and resilience in opposition to the ethnocentric lens that often erases, dehumanizes, and victimizes women and communities of color. She is a fellow at the International Women's Media Foundation.
Credits:
Director & Producer: Rucha Chitnis
Cinematographer & Sound: Jason Taylor
Editor: Quinn Costello