"A GOOD DAY TO DIE" tells the story of Dennis Banks, who co-founded the American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) in 1968 to call attention to the plight of urban Indians in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the rise of A.I.M. itself. Much of the film’s energy is focused on the early and controversial actions of A.I.M. in Washington DC, Custer, South Dakota and Wounded Knee.

"A Good Day To Die" Producer-Director David Mueller, Diverstiy Foundation CEO Ed Lhones, "A Good Day to Die" Producer-Director Lynn Salt, and Diversity Foundation Executive Director Lyle Rustad at the Twin Cities Film Festival in 2010.

The film also presents an intimate look at Dennis Banks' life beginning with his early experience in boarding schools, through his military service in Japan, his transformative experience in Stillwater State Prison and his subsequent founding of a movement that, through confrontational actions in Washington DC, Custer South Dakota and Wounded Knee changed the lives of Native Americans--and all indigenous peoples--forever.

Through evenhanded and diverse interviews from all "sides" the film presents a clear and cohesive telling of the events leading up to and surrounding a period of history that the Filmmakers claim is not well known and often misunderstood.

The filmmakers spent more than a year on the road with Banks traveling across the country filming interviews, revisiting locations that played a key role in the Movement and spending long hours in libraries locating archival material. They chose to use American Indian songs and music for the soundtrack. Banks himself sings a majority of the songs, which composer Michel Tyabji recorded and mixed to create the score.

"It was an honor for us to make this film," said Lynn Salt. “Dennis Banks stood up and was willing to die to make things better for future generations. His actions helped create a movement that changed everything and we want people to know that.”

"We feel it’s critical for this country to recognize the other side of its history”, said David Mueller. “We hope this film will lead to a clearer understanding of the motivations behind the American Indian Movement so that we can learn from the past and move on to a brighter future for all.”

The Film Has Won the Following Awards:

• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 deadCENTER Film Festival
    in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma



• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 Dreamspeakers Film Festival
    in Alberta, Canada



• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 LA Skins Festival
    in Los Angeles, California
  


• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 American Indian Film Festival
    in San Francisco, California
  


• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 Twin Cities Film Festival
    in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  


• “Best Documentary” at the 2010 Frozen River Film Festival
    in Winona, Minnesota