About the Film
The Story of EARL BISS
Native American artist, EARL BISS, lives on the edge—both in his daring, controversial lifestyle, and in the spiritual essence gleaned as a descendent of great Crow Chiefs. Based on a true 20th Century story, CRY OF THE THUNDERBIRD reveals how Earl becomes a dynamic catalyst among a group of young Native artists who create a new genre, Contemporary Native Art, in the cultural hotbed of Santa Fe, New Mexico. In the decades that follow, Earl overcomes great cultural and socioeconomic odds to break new artistic ground and become a highly celebrated artist in the Fine Art world.
EARL BISS (1947-1998). Photo courtesy of Louisa Davidson.
In Development
Inspired by a True Adventure
CRY OF THE THUNDERBIRD is a drama adapted from both the award-winning biography and the award-winning feature documentary portraying the life and art of groundbreaking Crow artist, Earl Biss. Watch for exciting news as the journey of the production evolves. The film will mostly be shot in New Mexico, along with some scenes in Aspen, Colorado, and the Crow Nation in Montana.
Earl's family members, Native cultural consultants, and art experts are consultants for the drama, as they were for the biography and documentary.
Book and Documentary info: EarlBissMovie.com
Find us on IMDb: Cry of the Thunderbird
Adapted from the Biss Documentary and Book
The Documentary
The Documentary
The Documentary
“EARL BISS, The Spirit Who Walks Among His People” is an award-winning documentary that sheds light on this ground breaking, dynamic, mystical, and controversial Crow artist. Earl Biss (1947 – 1998) was a profound contributor to the explosion of Southwestern Art in the last half of the 20th century, and particularly to the rise of Contemporary Native American Art.
The Book
The Documentary
The Documentary
EXPERIENCES WITH EARL BISS: The Spirit Who Walks Among His People
By Lisa Gerstner. An international award-winning book, the author worked directly with the artist in 1994-1995 when Earl Biss asked her to write his biography.
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
LISA GERSTNER
Lisa directed and produced the award-winning documentary EARL BISS – THE SPIRIT WHO WALKS AMONG HIS PEOPLE, co-produced docudrama, OPENINGS: THE SEARCH FOR HARRY, produced and scored GIRLS ON PURPOSE, and directed/produced a number of artistic educational videos for American Design Ltd and Boulder Valley Schools. Earl Biss’ c
LISA GERSTNER
Lisa directed and produced the award-winning documentary EARL BISS – THE SPIRIT WHO WALKS AMONG HIS PEOPLE, co-produced docudrama, OPENINGS: THE SEARCH FOR HARRY, produced and scored GIRLS ON PURPOSE, and directed/produced a number of artistic educational videos for American Design Ltd and Boulder Valley Schools. Earl Biss’ chosen biographer, Lisa authored the award-winning book EXPERIENCES WITH EARL BISS – THE SPIRIT WHO WALKS AMONG HIS PEOPLE. IMDb
PRODUCER
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
CHIP COMINS
Chip is Chairman and CEO of American Renewable Energy Institute, Founder of AREDAY Summit, Expo and Film Festival, Managing Director of WEnergy, and President and CEO of American Spirit Productions. He has produced film for educational and broadcast television markets, including National Renewable Energy Laboratory, BET and Dis
CHIP COMINS
Chip is Chairman and CEO of American Renewable Energy Institute, Founder of AREDAY Summit, Expo and Film Festival, Managing Director of WEnergy, and President and CEO of American Spirit Productions. He has produced film for educational and broadcast television markets, including National Renewable Energy Laboratory, BET and Discovery Network, DOE Wind Powering America, PBS, and Link TV. AREI AmericanSpiritProductions.com
STORY CONSULTANT
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
PRODUCER (attached)
JAMES V. HART
A celebrated screenwriter, consultant and producer, James is known for such screenplays as DRACULA, directed by Francis Ford Coppola; HOOK, directed by Steven Spielberg, AUGUST RUSH, directed by Kirsten Sheridan, MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND, directed by Brian Henson, and CONTACT, directed by Robert Zemeckis. His renowned story ma
JAMES V. HART
A celebrated screenwriter, consultant and producer, James is known for such screenplays as DRACULA, directed by Francis Ford Coppola; HOOK, directed by Steven Spielberg, AUGUST RUSH, directed by Kirsten Sheridan, MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND, directed by Brian Henson, and CONTACT, directed by Robert Zemeckis. His renowned story mapping tool, TheHartChart was launched at the 2015 Austin Film Festival. IMDb HartChart.com
PRODUCER (attached)
CREATIVE PRODUCER/WRITER
PRODUCER (attached)
KAREN MOORE
Line producing is in good hands with award-winning producer, Karen Moore. She has enjoyed a thirty-year career in high-end television production, working on some of the most successful shows of recent times. Producer of fully 20 episodes of BREAKING BAD, Karen also produced multiple episodes of HANNIBAL, HOUSE OF CARDS, CHAMBERS, BLOOD & OIL and VEGAS. IMDb
CO-PRODUCER
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CO-PRODUCER
FREE BEAR
Fifteen years in the TV and film industry, Free Bear (Lakota) works in various roles, including camera, video assist and producer. He has overseen Link TV broadcasts for which he also helped create FIRST PEOPLE'S TELEVISION. His contributions span over 25 films such as FINCH, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, and INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENC
FREE BEAR
Fifteen years in the TV and film industry, Free Bear (Lakota) works in various roles, including camera, video assist and producer. He has overseen Link TV broadcasts for which he also helped create FIRST PEOPLE'S TELEVISION. His contributions span over 25 films such as FINCH, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, and INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE. Free remains passionate about movies that inspire social and environmental awareness. IMDb
CO-PRODUCER
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CO-PRODUCER
LUCAS CORVATTA
A filmmaker, comedian and actor of Spanish and Native descent, Lucas has co-hosted shows like DUKE CITY COMEDY LEAGUE and hosted panels at comic-cons and various events. His film and TV work includes roles in DARK WINDS, PERSECUTED, WARRIOR WOMAN and OLE POSOLE. As a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, he uses his platform to promot
LUCAS CORVATTA
A filmmaker, comedian and actor of Spanish and Native descent, Lucas has co-hosted shows like DUKE CITY COMEDY LEAGUE and hosted panels at comic-cons and various events. His film and TV work includes roles in DARK WINDS, PERSECUTED, WARRIOR WOMAN and OLE POSOLE. As a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, he uses his platform to promote awareness for suicide prevention and marginalized communities. IMDb
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
PAUL ZUEGER
President of American Design LTD (ADL), Paul represented Earl Biss for the last ten years of Earl’s life. In the Fine Arts business for over forty years, ADL currently operates a number of galleries in Colorado and New Mexico, representing artists from all over the world. ADL supports documentaries and publishes books on noted artists. AmericanDesignLTD.com
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
CARY MORIN
A Crow Tribal member well versed in the culture of the Apsáalooke, Cary has won numerous awards for song writing. Described as “one of the best acoustic pickers on the scene today,” Cary brings together the great musical traditions of America and beyond like no other. CaryMorin.com
Research and Location Scouting
Free Bear, JV Hart, Lisa Gerstner, Chip Comins, Tom Boston (production team) at Galerie Züger Santa Fe.
Earl Biss' brother, Guy Biss, with producer/writer, Lisa Gerstner
Producers, J.V. Hart, Chip Comins, Lisa Gerstner and Karen Moore with Biss masterpiece.
Producers, Paul Zueger, Chip Comins, and Lisa Gerstner discuss Biss.
Lucas Corvatta and Lisa Gerstner, Producers
Screenwriter, Lisa Gerstner, working with veteran screenwriter/story consultant, J.V. Hart on Zoom.
Galerie Züger director, Alex Montoya, with celebrated screenwriter, J.V. Hart.
Aspen,CO.
Tom Boston preps sound for an interview at the Caribou Club, Aspen. CO.
Producer, Lisa Gerstner, at the Wheeler Opera House, Shining Mountains Film Fest.
Lisa was adopted into the Crow Tribe during the Film Fest. L-R: Lisa Gerstner, Patleen Stewart, Loretta Stewart Thomas, Buffalo Child.
Lisa Gerstner, producer; Tom Boston, sound recordist; Diane Vitrac-Kessler, Shining Mountains Film Fest director.
Santa Fe, NM.
Earl Biss, "Early Snow on the Bear Tooth Range", oil. Galerie Züger Santa Fe.
Earl Biss biography.
Chip Comins with the sculptor, Presley LaFountain, cultural consultant.
Sculptor, Doug Hyde and Lisa Gerstner discuss the Contemporary Native Art Movement.
James V. Hart and Karen Moore take in the Biss/Singleton Museum.
Crow consultant/songwriter, Cary Morin, views Biss paintings.
Earl Biss,"People of the Big Sky", oil.
Earl Biss, detail, "People of the Big Sky", oil.
Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM.
Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM.
Consultants, Presley LaFountain and Doug Hyde flank producer Lisa Gerstner & actor Rodrigo Tactaquin.
Sculptor, Presley LaFountain, with Lisa Gerstner and Tom Boston. Madrid, NM.
Crow Nation, MT.
Crow artist, Kevin Red Star, and Producer, Lisa Gerstner at the Crow Nation.
Joel Shute captures art by Kevin Red Star at his studio in Roberts, MT
Crow dancers, Native Days, Crow Agency, MT.
Night Hawk Juniors, Crow Agency, MT.
Crow Agency, MT.
Lisa Gerstner with Canon 5D. Crow Agency, MT.
Little Big Horn Battle Field, Crow Nation, MT.
Red Star Ranch, Crow Nation, MT.
Red Star Ranch, Crow Nation, MT.
Red Star Ranch, Crow Nation, MT.
Red Star Ranch, Crow Nation, MT.
Producer, Lisa Gerstner & PA, Tom Boston, with the Shane family, relatives of Biss.
Cultural Consultant, Gilbert White Wolf Glenn, and Lisa Gerstner.
Experience the Magic of Earl Biss!
Earl Biss featured in the August 2024 issue of Cowboys & Indians Magazine
Close friends, historians, and artists shed light on the life of Earl Biss, the Crow artist who helped spearhead the contemporary Indigenous art movement.
OUR SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS
Cry of the Thunderbird