Director: Chris MalloyStarring: Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Jeff Johnson, Keith Malloy, Timmy O'Neil, Makohe
Genre: Adventure Documentary
Year: 2010
Run Time: 85 Minutes
How: Apple TV (Netflix)
Patagonia. One of the last great, unspoiled wildernesses left on the planet. Located at the end of the world, it has some of the most extreme terrain, Ranging from coastline to thick forest to jagged peaks, blanketed in ice. That was what drew Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins there back in 1968.
Back then, Yvon and Doug were living in Ventura, California, surfing, rock climbing, even making their own equipment (Yvon founded Patagonia Clothing and Black Diamond and Doug, The North Face). Both were very accomplished climbers, having made many notable ascents all across North America, and had set their sights on Mt Fitzroy in Patagonian Chile. So in 1968 the two packed up a van with surfboards and climbing equipment and set off on a 6 month, 10,000 mile journey along the Pan American Highway. They made it to Mt Fitzroy and scaled it over the course of three weeks, much of wich was spent in a snow cave waiting for deadly storms to pass.
Jeff Johnson, a friend of Yvon and Doug's and fellow surfer/climber, found the footage of their trip and was inspired to recreate it. Jeff's goal was to be Corcavado, a mountain Yvon had given him a picture from his first trip.
Jeff joins the crew of a small sail boat named the Sea Bear, which is relocating from Seattle back to Chile. Jeff has never sailed long distance before, but relishes the change of pace that life at sea offers. They sail down the coast of Mexico and to the Galapagos Islands. over a thousand miles off the coast of Chile, the Sea Bear's mast snaps, their only option, motor to Rapa Nui a.k.a Easter Island. Stranded on this remote island while they repair their ship, Jeff explores his surroundings. He meets a local woman named Makohe, who is also intrigued by his journey and asks if she can join them when the leave.
After a about a month in Rapa Nui, Jeff and the crew are finally able to remast, using an risky strategy, sailors used to perform such repairs while anchored at sea. With Makohe aboard, the Sea Bear heads east, for Chile. Once in port, Jeff and Makohe continue their journey south by bus. Soon they meet up with Yvon and Doug, both of whom now live in Patagonia.
Yvon and Doug have dedicated their lives trying to preserve Patagonia. They have taken it upon themselves to use their own life savings to buy up large tracts of land, creating Concervaion Patigonica, basically a national park on private land larger than Yosemite. The film focuses a lot on conservation, how we need to protect our wild spaces, not build factories in pristine wilderness. It kind of become old hat, but you almost forgive it for the beauty of the of the place.
After a long arduous journey they finally make it to Corcovodo. Joined by Jeff's friends, Keith Malloy and Timmy O'Neil, Jeff, Makohe and Yvon being their ascent. There is something compelling about seeing a place few people have ever set foot, even on film.
The film features a great soundtrack, mainly consisting of music by Ugly Casanova, featuring Isaac Brock, front man of Modest Mouse. It is also interspersed with the likes of Billy Bragg & Wilco and James Mercer. All together the music compliments the breath taking visuals and journey's laid back feel. Though a compelling documentary, the environmentalism in it gets a little stale, Patagonia itself makes for the any wrongdoing.
Jeff Johnson, a friend of Yvon and Doug's and fellow surfer/climber, found the footage of their trip and was inspired to recreate it. Jeff's goal was to be Corcavado, a mountain Yvon had given him a picture from his first trip.
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| Corcovodo |
After a about a month in Rapa Nui, Jeff and the crew are finally able to remast, using an risky strategy, sailors used to perform such repairs while anchored at sea. With Makohe aboard, the Sea Bear heads east, for Chile. Once in port, Jeff and Makohe continue their journey south by bus. Soon they meet up with Yvon and Doug, both of whom now live in Patagonia.
Yvon and Doug have dedicated their lives trying to preserve Patagonia. They have taken it upon themselves to use their own life savings to buy up large tracts of land, creating Concervaion Patigonica, basically a national park on private land larger than Yosemite. The film focuses a lot on conservation, how we need to protect our wild spaces, not build factories in pristine wilderness. It kind of become old hat, but you almost forgive it for the beauty of the of the place.
After a long arduous journey they finally make it to Corcovodo. Joined by Jeff's friends, Keith Malloy and Timmy O'Neil, Jeff, Makohe and Yvon being their ascent. There is something compelling about seeing a place few people have ever set foot, even on film.
The film features a great soundtrack, mainly consisting of music by Ugly Casanova, featuring Isaac Brock, front man of Modest Mouse. It is also interspersed with the likes of Billy Bragg & Wilco and James Mercer. All together the music compliments the breath taking visuals and journey's laid back feel. Though a compelling documentary, the environmentalism in it gets a little stale, Patagonia itself makes for the any wrongdoing.
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