Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts (Film Screening)

To celebrate Black History Month, award-winning filmmaker and founder of Black Bald Films, Dru Holley is embarking on a multi-city viewing tour for his documentary film Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts. 

The film tells the powerful story of the African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often overlooked in history, these brave men fought not only on the frontlines of battle but also against racial injustice within the military and society. This documentary sheds light on the courage and resilience of the Buffalo Soldiers as they navigated the complex challenges of racism, war, and their contributions to the American frontier. Through historical insights and personal stories, the film honors their legacy and sheds new light on an important chapter in American history.

“The central focus of our documentary is these accomplished Black men that are in our past that we need to remember, and to remember the strength that’s in our DNA,” Holley says. “It’s about knowing that we have more of a history than slavery in America, that we’re also bad-ass Buffalo Soldiers, and they did more of the work than fight Natives. We want to say, ‘Don’t be scared to come out of the inner cities and go to the national parks. That’s part of our history too.’”

Captivating audiences and winning awards at film festivals across the country since its debut, Buffalo Soldiers “provides a unique narrative to a part of our history that has been overlooked and overshadowed. [the film] is steeped in history, yet it’s timely,” says Seattle Medium. 

Established by Congress in 1867, Many African American men enlisted in exchange for full citizenship as promised by the 14th Amendment, but were denied this right by the Jim Crow laws established in the Reconstructionist South. In spite of that, these patriotic men helped lead the United States expansion westward; they built and guarded the Pacific Railroad and served as park rangers in places like Yosemite before the U.S. government established the National Park Service. 

These African American soldiers fought bravely in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Mexican Punitive Expedition, World War I & World War II, but the Buffalo Soldiers also participated in the subjugation of Native peoples as the United States appropriated tribal land, the persecution of striking silver miners in Idaho, and against Filipinos fighting for independence during the Spanish-American War, resulting in a complicated legacy. 

It is particularly relevant today as our country is roiling with the agony of racial strife. By combining a multitude of diverse perspectives, the film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played in American history by The Buffalo Soldiers, and how they fought on two very different sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

The two-month tour is sponsored by Meyer Memorial Trust, 1803 Fund, Colorado Historical Society & Paul & Deborah Speers.

Visit https://buffalosoldiersmovie.com/ for more viewing and event updates.

About the filmmaker:
Dru Holley is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Black Bald Films, dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and telling the stories often left out of mainstream narratives. With a passion for history and social justice, Dru’s work highlights the connections between Black and Native American communities, exploring untold stories with a focus on resilience, identity, and empowerment. His films aim to inspire and educate audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the past to create a more inclusive future.