Land and identity at the sharpening edge of American discontent
The Film
Refuge looks at the nature of protest and the extraordinary and at times extreme measures some take to "solve" problems. The spotlight is on a tiny frontier community in southeast Oregon, placed in the crosshairs when anti-government activist Ammon Bundy declares he's making a "hard stand" and leads an armed occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As the occupation plays out, the filmmakers employ unparalleled access to explore conflicts over land and identity here and across a fragmented national landscape. Complex, unsettling, and profoundly human, Refuge depicts a cautionary tale and a critical point of hope in a time of historic American distress.
Your contribution is tax-deductible and brings this important story to light. Thank you!
Comments About Refuge
“Wow! You have us hooked! The series is so much more than the refuge occupation — that’s just the beginning of this incredible journey.”
“I forgot how much it hurt. I am holding back tears. And the rumblings are still there given the situation this nation is in. THANK YOU!”
“I am reminded of Wild, Wild Country in the approach you have taken…a deep dig into the Bundy occupation as a moment not only in high desert history but with national and international ramifications. The occupation was a cautionary tale as to what would unfold in that year’s election (2016) and beyond.”
“We have no sense of political bias, which is remarkable considering the circumstances of the story and current events. The point of Refuge is to highlight that peaceful and civil discourse, in the broader context of a democratic society, is where we always need to land...no matter what. ”
“The first three episodes left me breathless and shaking.”
“I’m walking inside a large, shadowed cavern where potential routes present themselves, and small clues catch my attention; tell me I’m on the right route … signal me to continue onward. Plus, the entire cast in Refuge is authentic, comfortable in their skins, knowledgeable in their stories, and deeply honest. They are people you’d like to know; conversations you’d like to sit in on. Moments of life that you’re sorry you missed.”
“...at the edge of my seat. What happens next? Where’s episode 4?”
“These were extraordinarily emotional times…and the tenor of that from the inside is what makes this film a real standout.”
“We can change perspectives and practices that move from the polarization and fracturing of society to building a more equitable and respectful community. This theme runs consistently through Refuge.”
We’d also like to hear your first-hand accounts of the Malheur refuge occupation and its aftermath. Contact us: sue(at)hareinthegate.com or richard(at)hareinthegate.com