Press

“Ostensibly, “Bad River,” which opens in theaters Friday, is an affecting, sometimes infuriating David-and-Goliath story about the Bad River Band’s ongoing legal clash with Enbridge Energy, a Calgary-based company … But the documentary, co-produced by former NBA star Grant Hill and narrated by model/actress Quannah ChasingHorse and actor Edward Norton, tells a larger story, too, about the chronic mistreatment of Indigenous people — by the US government, the Catholic church, and corporate interests — and the effect that’s had on communities like the Bad River Band.”  -Mark Shanahan, The Boston Globe

“‘Bad River’ is an exceptional testament to Native resilience. I laughed, cried and raised my hand in triumph…. a 10 out of 10…It was just so beautifully done…. Bad River is definitely going to be one of my highest-recommended films of 2024.  – Vincent Schilling, Film Critic – Rotten Tomatoes.

“It is profoundly moving.” – Liz Braun, Film Critic – Alliance of Women Film Journalists

“Every once in a while, a documentary comes along that can turn the culture upside down and absolutely move you. Mary Mazzio’s Bad River is that film for me.” – Chris Salce, Film Critic – Film Threat

“That’s the best movie I’ve seen in a long long time…” – Myron “Burnsie” Burns, 86-year-old Bad River Tribal Elder

“Bad River reveals Indigenous People’s Fight to Protect their Land and Lake Superior. Read Matt Carey’s article in Deadline.

“Bad River, a film about the tribe and its David-versus-Goliath fight against the pipeline company, will be released in theaters across the U.S. on Mar. 15. The film seeks to put the current pipeline fight in an historical context.“Enbridge’s trespass is one of many in a series of takings of Native land that goes back hundreds of years,” Mary Mazzio, the film’s producer, writer and director, said. –Phil McKenna, Inside Climate News. See also coverage on the Bad River case and amicus brief filing by the Biden Administration. Inside Climate News.

“Mazzio’s film presents a sweeping history of events and federal policies that forged Bad River’s tenacious commitment to defending its homelands and culture. That fierce defiance, we see, was borne out of relentless, hard-headed love for all that is Bad River. Defense of their homelands has always been intensely personal for Bad River citizens.” –Mary Annette Pember, Indian Country Today

“The movie “Bad River” has been so popular at Ashland’s Bay Theater that it’s showings there are being extended. “Bad River” was the top-grossing film at the Bay Theater over the past two weekends following its March 15 release, theater manager Jon Huybrecht said…“It beat ‘Ghostbusters’ on its opening weekend,” Huybrecht said, referring to the recently released movie “Ghost Busters: Frozen Empire.” “We have not seen lines out the door on a Tuesday since ‘Barbie.’” – Ashland Daily Press 

Lisa Hughes of CBS News in Boston interviews BAD RIVER director, Mary Mazzio, and Former Bad River Chairman, Mike Wiggins.

“I am sure you and your film staff and other with your production firm “50 Eggs” have received many accolades regarding this magnificent film and the hard work and efforts you and my people put into making it a truly watershed moment in the lives and struggles of our people.  For me personally it was a reaffirming of what I taught my students as a professor of Native American Studies at the College of Du age in Glenn Ellen, IL during the middle 1990’s.   It brought back so many memories of my past and gave me a sense of pride that I can feel and see in the eyes of those who approached me at the end of the film to thank me for being there.” – Robert Houle, Bad River Tribal Council Secretary

“Bad River is an eye-opening, provocative and enraging documentary about the struggles of Bad River Band, a Chippewa reservation in Wisconsin, to protect and preserve their native land. .. Bad River will probably make most audiences feeling indignant, as they have every right to feel, but also empowered.” –Avi Offer, Film Critic – NYC Movie Guru

“It’s brilliant…” – Jim Braude (with Margery Eagan) on Boston Public Radio.

“Bad River sounds an important alarm about the battle for civil rights and environmental protection in a crusade led by the Bad River Band. This must-see documentary shows in unflinching ways how these issues affect everyone on a global level.” – Carla Hay, CultureMix

“it tells that story in a lively way that centers the Bad River Band itself. Nearly all the on-camera interviews in the film are with members of the tribe, and the soundtrack is peppered with hip-hop tracks by producer Mato Wayuhi that reflect the film’s defiant spirit. Mazzio even used two narrators in conversation with each other. Oscar-winning actor Edward Norton often gives the “official” historical version of events, while actress Quannah Chasinghorse (“Reservation Dogs”) tells the story from the tribe’s perspective. The result is a lively and galvanizing take on recent events that Mazzio hopes will resonate with audiences both inside and outside Wisconsin. –Rob Thomas, The Cap Times

Frederica Freyberg interviews Former Bad River Chairman, Mike Wiggins, and Mary Mazzio on PBS Wisconsin’s Here and Now.  BAD RIVER and discussion with Frederica Freyberg is highlighted again on PBS Wisconsin.

Alex Crowe interviews Mary Mazzio on Wisconsin Public Radio

Comcast announces partnership with 50 Eggs Films, streaming the film first on Xfinity/Black Experience on Xfinity, and then debuting on Peacock in the Fall of 2024.

“Its a fascinating film…” – Shereen Siewert, in a lengthy interview with Mary Mazzio on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Route 51.  See also the Wasau Pilot and Review coverage of this interview.

“It’s a film that’s told through the eyes of Bad River tribal members. And I think that’s where its power lies,” Loew said. “The big moments in history, the little moments in history, the past moments in history, the present, is all told through the perspective of Bad River’s citizens and I think that’s what makes the film so powerful.” –Kyle Davidson, The Michigan Advance

“Standing up to Enbridge…” – Matteo Cimellaro, The National Observer

“When we said no, we meant that….” Listen to Interview with Aurora Conley and Mary Mazzio with Allen Ruff, Host of A Public Affair in Madison

“Mazzio’s unwavering commitment to Native voices doesn’t gloss over the past even as it builds hope for the future. More than 50 members of the Bad River Band speak on camera, and the seamless chorus of so many voices — of a nation, speaking its heart and its truth — is the transcendent strength of this film. In the closing minutes, each Band member addresses the generations to come with humor, love, and an exhilarating generosity of spirit.” – Erik Ness, Isthmus 

Levi Rickert of Native News Online interviews Bad River Tribal Elders, Sonny Smart and Patty Loew about Bad River.

“Bad River” sheds a light on this harrowing but vital history. Mazzio interviewed over 50 members of the Bad River Band for the documentary, making the film, in her words, “a historic retrospective”; a testament that the tribe members’ “parents, grandparents, great grandparents and ancestors fought the good fight for the land and culture.” –Jess Miller, Madison Magazine

“The film deftly documents a journey of heartbreak and pain as the Bad River Band reclaims what was theirs all along.” – S. Nicole Lane, Film Critic – Chicago Reader

“Edith Leoso talks of a prophesy by tribal elders before 1969 that promised times will improve for Indigenous peoples when an eagle lands on the moon. Leoso, the tribal historic preservation officer for the Bad River Ojibwe Tribe in northern Wisconsin, is one of several Bad River elders and professionals featured in the “Bad River” documentary opening this weekend in Wisconsin.” –Frank Vaisvilas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

“Packed with interviews featuring tribal members, fascinating archival film, and stunning cinematography of the landscapes of the Great Lakes region, Bad River brings a sense of inspiration to a situation that is distressing and at times shocking.” -Lydia Larsen, Sierra Magazine

“Bad River” gains a cumulative power in the way it consistently counters these tragedies with moving interviews with the proud, vibrant people who have refused to leave, illustrating the courage of resistance that takes place across generations.” –Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com 

“The resiliency of the Anishinaabe people presented in the film (most who I feel were speaking directly to me at times) as they told their stories and offered words of hope and strength touched me and sometimes held me as I shook in my seat.”     – Jennifer Patino, ThistleThoughts

“There’s a lot I hope people take away from the film. I think the first takeaway, obviously, is understanding what this fight is really about. The Bad River watershed is — there’s only one Lake Superior on the planet… If it gets poisoned at all, it’s not just Bad River’s loss, it’s the entire country’s loss…I think in our country, we sort of take it for granted, the access we have to water. It’s not a tragedy until it’s gone. …That’s what we’re trying to avoid.” – RunningHorse Livingston, in an interview with Milwaukee NPR.

CBS News Chicago interviews Mary Mazzio for this piece,  with fuller coverage here and a follow up story here.

“Bad River” documentary follows tribe’s fight for sovereignty.” Hannah David-Reid of WXPR Rhinelander interviews Mary Mazzio.

“I didn’t have time to be nervous, but it still was unsettling but rewarding because I think Mary had developed a really well thought out list of questions,” Loew said. “And the thing that I really appreciated about this documentary is she really allowed our community members to tell the story in their own words.” – Maria Brunetta, The Badger Herald

“A new chapter of a very old story: Documentary shows Bad River Band’s fight against Line 5…” – Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“The Bad River Band’s fight is in many ways reflective of their culture and values. If what they’re doing communally would prompt us to think more about each other and our long-term future together, wouldn’t that be a beautiful thing…” –Gary Wilson, Great Lakes Now interviews Mary Mazzio.

Michael Azevedo interviews Mary Mazzio for the FIlmmaker’s Collaborative Podcast.

“It beat ‘Ghostbusters’ on its opening weekend,” Huybrecht said, referring to the recently released movie “Ghost Busters: Frozen Empire.” “We have not seen lines out the door on a Tuesday since ‘Barbie.’”. -Tom Stankard, Ashland Daily Press

Listen to Nicole Walton on Michigan Public Radio: Anishinaabe Radio News

“Enbridge’s stance, articulated by senior vice president and chief communications officer Mike Fernandez, presents a counter-narrative. Fernandez argues that the pipeline is a critical infrastructure, essential for millions of people, and suggests that the Band’s efforts to shut it down overlook the broader implications on energy supply and economic stability. This juxtaposition of views within ‘Bad River’ paints a complex picture of the conflict, inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between preserving natural resources and meeting human energy needs…. As the documentary is poised for release, it beckons a wider audience to witness this pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse on environmental preservation, indigenous rights, and the future of energy infrastructure.” – Geeta Pillai, BNN

Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan interview Mary Mazzio on WTMJ Radio

“Here’s this little band standing up to the Goliaths of the industry,” Patty Loew said. -Tom Stankard, Ashland Daily Press

“Everyone needs to see this. That is non-negotiable.” SEE CLIP.

“Bad River” features dozens of interviews with tribe members and officials who say Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline is part of a broader siege on the band’s sovereignty and culture…” – Ray Levy Uyeda, Prism