Wrestling Alligators

Alligator wrestler, Grammy-nominated recording artist, founder and Chairman of a gaming empire. Chairman James Billie's story, one that parallels the struggles of his Seminole Tribe of Florida, is the stuff of legend. In 1979, on a small plot of Native American land, James Billie opened the nation's first high stakes bingo parlor, defying Florida law, starting what would become a billion dollar business, and inspiriing Native American tribes around the country attempting to duplicate his success. This visionary act would lead the Seminoles into an era of prosperity never seen by any North American Indian tribe.  Battles with state and federal governments would follow, along with personal  attacks from inside and outside the tribe against James Billie.  He fought through it all, he fought, overcoming personal and tribal challenges, and now presides over a multi-billion dollar business empire that encompasses gaming, Florida oranges, and cattle. The Tribe’s long-term plan? "To take back Manhattan one burger at a time."

Premiered at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)