Standing Rock
Hunter documented and livestreamed the Standing Rock resistance, reaching 100,000+ viewers as the camp was cleared.
Hunter made 4 trips to Standing Rock between early 2016 and eviction day 2017, initially with director Matt Sukkar to shoot a short film, then returning on his own. He pivoted from traditional filmmaking to Facebook Live livestreaming — rigging a RED camera with a 600mm lens to broadcast from safe distance. His stream grew from 5 viewers to over 100,000 concurrent on eviction day. Rather than collecting footage for a future film, Hunter chose real-time documentation because 'what was happening live needed to be known by the world.' Standing Rock was the first time Hunter embedded with people in direct confrontation with industry and government, and the experience taught him that 'the most powerful version of any story is to live it in real time with the people for whom the stakes are the highest.'
- Year
- 2016
- Hunter's role
- Filmmaker
- Director
- Hunter Nolan
- Type
- Field Project
- Countries
- USA (North Dakota, Standing Rock Reservation)
Collaborators
- Matt Sukkar
Awards
N/A
Festivals
N/A
Real-world impact
The Standing Rock resistance became the largest Indigenous demonstration in decades, uniting 200+ tribes for the first time in 150+ years. Dakota Access Pipeline permits were struck down by federal courts in 2020 (inadequate environmental review). Court ordered pipeline shut down pending new review. Legal battles continue through 2025-2026. The movement inspired global solidarity and spawned the #NoDAPL movement. Hunter's 100,000+ viewer livestream was part of the real-time documentation that brought global attention to the water protectors' struggle. Standing Rock Chairman Mike Faith: 'It's humbling to see how actions we took four years ago continue to inspire national conversations about how our choices ultimately affect this planet.'