How We Stand
Synopsis
Tombs weaves together the triangular story points of three Oklahoma sisters and their mother who travel to Los Angeles as a part of a relocation program in the 1950s that gave Native Americans the opportunity to become “civilized” by getting jobs in urban centres. When they arrive, they begin to understand that like many east-to-west dreams, the reality is not the new beginning they sought. Abandoned by government policy and in acute poverty, they begin to search for their own, finding home in “the tombs” – the cemented riverways of LA. It is here a young mother is killed, and the lives of her children separate down three very different paths that emerge in 1970s Los Angeles – weaving together one telling, one flood.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Toronto International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Marie Clements
- Screenplay & Story
- Marie Clements
- Original Score
- Wayne Lavallee
- Original Title
- How We Stand
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Production Studios
- Photon Films & Media, Myriad Pictures, Téléfilm Canada, Indigenous Screen Office | Bureau de l'écran autochtone, Creative BC, The Harold Greenberg Fund, Film Incentive B.C., Government of Canada
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Marie Clements
Marie Clements
Wayne Lavallee
Adam Madrzyk
Maxime Lahaie
Marie Clements, Trish Dolman, Christine Haebler, Steven Thibault, Mark Slone
Department Leadership Roster
Marie Clements
Director
Marie Clements
Screenplay
Marie Clements
Producer
Trish Dolman
Producer
Christine Haebler
Producer
Steven Thibault
Producer
Adam Madrzyk
Director of Photography
Maxime Lahaie
Editor
Wayne Lavallee
Original Music Composer
Mark S. Freeborn
Production Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for How We Stand.
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Frequently Asked Questions About How We Stand
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is How We Stand about?
Tombs weaves together the triangular story points of three Oklahoma sisters and their mother who travel to Los Angeles as a part of a relocation program in the 1950s that gave Native Americans the opportunity to become “civilized” by getting jobs in urban centres. When they arrive, they begin to understand that like many east-to-west dreams, the reality is not the new beginning they sought. Abandoned by government policy and in acute poverty, they begin to search for their own, finding home in “the tombs” – the cemented riverways of LA. It is here a young mother is killed, and the lives of her children separate down three very different paths that emerge in 1970s Los Angeles – weaving together one telling, one flood.
Who directed How We Stand?
How We Stand was directed by Marie Clements.
Who stars in How We Stand?
The principal cast of How We Stand includes Amber Midthunder, Cara Jade Myers, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Eric Johnson.
When was How We Stand released and how long is it?
How We Stand was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 1h 47m.
Who composed the musical score for How We Stand?
The original motion picture soundtrack for How We Stand was composed by Wayne Lavallee.