Synopsis
The extraordinary life of Chickasaw Nation citizen Mary Thompson Fisher is given a heartfelt tribute in this moving look at a culture in transition, and the way one woman used her voice to keep Native traditions and stories alive. Raised in Indian Territory, Fisher left home to pursue her dream of becoming an actress, only to find that her true calling was at home all along. From Chautauquas to Broadway and even the White House, Fisher traveled the world performing Native American songs and stories for heads of state, American presidents, and European royalty. Featuring Chickasaw citizens both in front of and be-hind the camera, this touching portrait starring Q’orianka Kilcher (“The New World”) and Graham Greene honors a woman whose own story was the most inspiring one she never told. -TCFF database
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Cast
- Q'orianka KilcherTe Ata Thompson Fisher
- Gil BirminghamT.B. Thompson
- Graham GreeneDouglas Johnston
- Mackenzie AstinDr. Clyde Fisher
- Brigid BrannaghBertie Thompson
- Cindy PickettMiss Davis
- Jenni MabreyBettie Johnston
- Marissa SkellMargaret
- Boriana WilliamsYoung Te Ata
- Sheril RodgersCommittee Member (uncredited)
Recommendations
- 63
The Seattle Times
Perhaps in an effort to tell a PG story about an all-ages storyteller, Te Ata lacks vitality, pulling its punches and sometimes resorting to a cheesy shorthand. (A scene featuring Greene’s reservation leader and a racist senator is especially cheap.) Despite that, Te Ata lingers in the memory as a tale of an artist’s promise — and fulfillment. - 63
Movie Nation
Te Ata may not be an Oscar contender, but it is well-acted, touching and certainly good enough to deserve this Netflix curtain call. - 63
The Seattle Times
Perhaps in an effort to tell a PG story about an all-ages storyteller, Te Ata lacks vitality, pulling its punches and sometimes resorting to a cheesy shorthand. (A scene featuring Greene’s reservation leader and a racist senator is especially cheap.) Despite that, Te Ata lingers in the memory as a tale of an artist’s promise — and fulfillment. - 63
Movie Nation
Te Ata may not be an Oscar contender, but it is well-acted, touching and certainly good enough to deserve this Netflix curtain call. - 60
Village Voice
Nathan Frankowski’s biopic has the saccharine, deliberate feel of a Hallmark movie, that doesn’t make the woman at its center any less inspirational. - 60
Los Angeles Times
The film rarely soars with the kind of authentic spirit and passion needed to fully sell this decidedly old-fashioned material. - 60
The New York Times
The movie’s driving force is its mythic performance scenes, which are choreographed, sung and acted with clear, balletic conviction by the film’s star, Q’orianka Kilcher. - 60
Village Voice
Nathan Frankowski’s biopic has the saccharine, deliberate feel of a Hallmark movie, that doesn’t make the woman at its center any less inspirational.
