Above Boy spotlights the spiritual foundation of Godfrey “Mikal Okshila (Above Boy)” Benjamin Chipps, a fourth-generation descendant of Horn Chipp – the Medicine Man for legendary Indian chief, Crazy Horse, and takes a deep dive into the modern realities of the reservation through the experiences of his wife (Beverly Red Elk), sons and daughters.
“Our way of life is being forgotten and that’s not right,” comments Opijeta (Opi), Godfrey’s son. “Not everything is perfect, but we stick together and we survive.”
The documentary film is set over two-year period in Wanblee, South Dakota, the heart of the incredibly beautiful Badlands, but is also inhospitable and remote. With one of the highest unemployment rates, and the lowest per capita income in the US, those who leave for a better life paradoxically still often return, as the life outside the reservation is faced with racism, loneliness and separation.
“Pine Ridge is like a moon scape – freezing in the winter, boiling summer,” notes Funke. “Most surrender to this harsh environment to keep their families intact – forgetting their traditional lifestyle and ceremonies as they try to assimilate into American culture.”
A poignant and standout moment of the film is the sequence of “Rez Life” an original song written and performed by Opi. The rap song catalogues Opi’s painful experiences on the reservation and his transition to becoming a dad. The track is now available on SoundCloud and YouTube.
