Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time ever, a short documentary film produced by the University of Utah Health has been chosen to be an official selection at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
The film "dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path" is rooted in themes of personal connection to tribal lands, social determinants of health and the inspiring journey of Jenna Murray to become a physician and researcher. The film made the cut as one of 53 short films — out of over 12,000 submissions — to be selected for the prestigious festival.
The film, in collaboration with University of Utah Health and its Native American Summer Research Internship program, was produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Robin Honan and co-directed by acclaimed filmmakers Alexandra Lazarowich, winner of the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and Academy Award winner Ross Kauffman.
The Native American Summer Research Internship supports the education, training, leadership development and peer-to-peer mentorship of Native American students who are interested in careers in health care.
The film is the fourth film in the University of Utah Health's "New Narratives in Health" series.
The film is centered around the story of Murray (Eastern Shoshone), who returns to Wyoming's Wind River Reservation after the passing of her grandfather, where she sets out to reconnect with tribal lands and her ancestral past on her path to becoming an MD-Ph.D student at the U.'s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
Although she'd always dreamed of being a healer, Murray battled mental health issues after the death of her grandfather that threatened to disrupt her dreams. In part through the assistance of a Native therapist who advised Murray to incorporate Indigenous cultural practices into her recovery, Murray is currently in the second year of her joint MD-Ph.D program.
"Through 'dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path,' I hope to inspire other Native American students to see themselves in my story and believe in their ability to achieve their dreams in research and medicine, or wherever their own path may take them. Representation matters, and I am committed to fostering a future where cultural diversity is celebrated in the medical and research fields," Murray said in a statement.
Along with incorporating Indigenous cultural practices and her own perseverance, Murray credits the U.'s Native American Summer Research Internship program as being pivotal to helping her reach her dreams.
Co-director Alexandra Lazarowich, an Indigenous Cree filmmaker, said that her work is centered around debunking Native stereotypes.
"Collaborating with Ross (Kauffman) to co-direct this short film helps showcase the Wind River Reservation in the beauty in its land, to champion stories like Jenna Murray and her accomplishments, and to spotlight the people of Wind River. I am proud to return to Sundance with 'dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path' and further uplift and inspire Native stories," Lazarowich said.
As for Kauffman, "dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path" is the fourth film he's worked on with University of Utah Health.
"In every collaboration, I am inspired by the power of highlighting one person's truth in storytelling. 'Dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path' allowed us to explore themes of personal connection, health disparities and the journey to become a healer in a way that is both authentic and relatable."
Screening times for "dêtetsi vo'i oninjakan Winding Path" can be found here:
- Documentary Shorts Program: The Ray, Park City on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at 10 p.m. (in-person premiere)
- Documentary Shorts Program: The Gateway 1/2/3, Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at 9 p.m.
- Documentary Shorts Program: Holiday 1, Park City on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
- Documentary Shorts Program: Holiday 3, Park City on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
People interested in attending the historic 40th rendition of the Sundance Film Festival in person from Jan. 18-28 or online can find out how to do so here.
