A filmmaker and biologist follow the Porcupine Caribou Herd from central Yukon to the herd's calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Hoping to raise awareness of the threat to the survival of the Porcupine Caribou Herd presented by the proposed exploitation of the oil and gas reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the husband-and-wife-team of filmmaker Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer, follow the herd of 120,000 caribou on foot, across 1,500 kilometers of rugged Arctic tundra.
They let the caribou guide them through a wild and remote landscape, from Old Crow, Yukon, to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- the herd's calving grounds -- and back. During the five-month journey, they ski and hike across mountains, swim icy rivers, brave Arctic weather and endure hordes of mosquitoes. They survive an encounter with a hungry grizzly bear that forces them to reconcile what it means to be a part of true wilderness. Dramatic footage and video diaries provide an intimate perspective of an epic expedition.
This film presents undeniable evidence that gives the lie to then Sen. Frank Murkowski's (R- Alaska) disgenuous description of the Refuge as "flat, unattractive, not pristine" as he held up a piece of blank white foam board. Watching the caribou migrate suggests a more appropriate analogy. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is America's Serengeti.
Awards
~ Best Environment and Conservation Film, Japan Wildlife Film Festival
~ Best Documentary Program or Series & Best Overall Sound, Leo Awards
~ Best Environmental Film, MountainFilm, Telluride
~ Grand Prize, Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
~ Jury Award, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival
~ Audience Award, Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival
~ People's Choice Award, Calgary International Film Festival
~ Federal Express Award for Most Popular Canadian Film, Vancouver International Film Festival
~ People's Choice Award, Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
~ Best Nature Film, International Nature and Environmental (PINE) Film Festival
~ Best Environmental Film, Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Germany
~ Best 'Earth' Film, International Festival of Mountain Film and Adventure, Bratislava, Slovakia
~ Merit Award, International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula
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