Three films examine Bristol Bay environmental controversy

KYLE VON BOSE

January 24, 2008 at 10:19AM AKST

The Pebble Mine controversy has caught the attention of filmmakers across the nation. Three films slated for release later this year aim to introduce Bristol Bay to the world as a fishing paradise and examine the potential threat of mining operations in its watershed.

"Red Gold," a documentary due this summer from Felt Soul Media, documents the proposed Pebble Mine project as told through the voices of commercial, subsistence and sport fishermen in Bristol Bay.

Ben Knight of Felt Soul said they want to put a face to their subject and to educate people in the Lower 48 about Pebble Mine. He said the goal is to present an unbiased look at all aspects of the Pebble Mine project.

Knight and Felt Soul project leader Travis Rummel spent 70 days filming in Bristol Bay during the summer of 2007. They lived with fishing families throughout the region and toured the proposed mine site.

Knight said they spoke with Bristol Bay fishermen from all walks of life, as well as Northern Dynasty Mine’s chief operating officer, Bruce Jenkins, and a Northern Dynasty geologist, to get both sides of the story.

"Red Gold" premiers at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival in May. Knight said that Felt Soul and its partners, Trout Unlimited, are planning an Alaska premier in Juneau but don’t have a date pinned down yet.

DVDs should be available for purchase through www.feltsoulmedia.com shortly after the film’s Telluride premier.

A second film, "River Poets," stresses the importance of salmon to the Bristol Bay ecosystem and economy and is told through three local fly fishing guides: Dave Goodhart, Tom "Slim" Carroll and Andy Griguhn.

Filmmaker Tyson O’Connell spent five years in Bristol Bay as a fly-fishing guide. He said he was prompted to make the film, his first, after witnessing the devastation caused by a mine just five miles away from his home town of Missoula, Mont.

Finally, "Equilibrium: The Last Frontier" is a Castaway Films production that follows Gary Borger, a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin, and Gary Loomis of G. Loomis fly rods throughout Bristol Bay.

Filmmaker Grant Wiswell said the film was a two-year project that examines potential threat of mining and how salmon could be damaged by cyanide and heavy metals leaching into the rivers. The film examines several species and speaks of the interdependence each has within the ecosystem.

"If we lose the salmon, everything in the entire ecosystem that depends on the salmon will be lost," Wiswell said.

"Equilibrium" is due for release Jan. 25 nationwide, when it will be available for purchase as a DVD.

"Equilibrium," "River Poets" and the trailer for "Red Gold" will be shown in Anchorage at the Fly Fishing Film Tour Feb. 7 and 8 at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. Tour information and dates can be found online at www.aegmedia.com.

On the Internet:

"Red Gold" at www.feltsoulmedia.com.

"Equilibrium" at www.castawayfilms.com .

"River Poets" at www.flyonthewalltravels.com.

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