Above, a still from The Ridge
The Wild and Scenic Film Festival puts the natural world in a new perspective
by Charlie Weinmann
Tony Schmiesing never let his broken neck stop him from tackling the improbable. “The Edge of Impossible,” a documentary screening at the annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, tells Schmiesing’s story as the first quadriplegic person to ever go heli-skiing. The film follows his journey as he travels to the high peaks of Alaska via helicopter and then skis down with the help of a fellow enthusiast.
The festival returns for its fifth year at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Friday, April 24, with a screening of 13 films that aim to inspire audiences to look at the natural world and environmental issues in unconventional ways.
The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a touring festival; in New Hampshire, the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT) curates the event. It first brought the festival to Portsmouth in 2011, and each year, a committee of SELT volunteers and staff select the lineup of films.
According to Isabel Aley, communications manager for SELT, the films address a range of subjects, from protecting wildlife habitat and health to outdoor adventures, from highlighting renewable energy efforts in the U.S. and abroad to resource conservation.
a still from The Edge of Impossible
Duane Hyde is the SELT’s land protection director. He’s also part of the festival’s film selection committee. It took a lot of thought and “a lot of popcorn” to whittle down the entries from 90 to 13 films.
“My criteria for the films was relatively simple,” said Hyde. “I was looking for a film with action or adventure that also conveyed the wonders of nature; films that provided an unusual perspective or window into nature, or films with a compelling story and message that captured my attention. What stands out to me is we were able to select a range of films that provide all of these attributes amongst them.”
Hyde describes one film that tells the story of a proposed strip mining operation in Alaska and how it would affect the local fishing industry.
“It helps you better understand the impacts that (fishermen) would be seeing by this project,” said Hyde. “I think some of the films here help you relate more to those issues and understand them. They do a decent job of trying to give you both sides of the story, but they are obviously environmental films, so they are leaning in a certain direction.”
Hyde said that a number of the films are not about environmental issues at all, but are just quirky and fun. Take “Teton Hooping Contingency,” about a Wyoming man whose goal is to hula-hoop throughout the major peaks in the Teton region — and to inspire others to do the same.
“He’s just outside enjoying himself and trying to get others to enjoy themselves,” said Hyde. “We tried not to make it all serious. There are definitely serious films and then there are fun films, and then there are just amazing films, so it’s just a good mix to keep the energy flowing throughout the evening.”
a still from Monarchs & Milkweed
In the short film “The Curious Snail,” the audience gets a new perspective on the often-overlooked mollusk. The film provides, with little narration, a snail’s-eye view of the world.
“To take an animal like a snail, that most people think is kind of disgusting maybe, and then to see these crisp, close-up images is pretty fantastic,” said Hyde. “It’s amazing when you take a film that’s maybe mundane, and somebody really gets into it. It shows you a different perspective and gets you thinking about something that … you would just gloss over and say, ‘So what, a snail?’”
Most of the films featured at this year’s festival were produced in the U.S., with several shot in Alaska. Hyde said the lineup includes short films shot in Scotland, Fiji, and other locations. And, though the scope is international, Aley said the festival has local benefits — ticket proceeds will go to SELT’s preservation programs.
“All the films exemplify high-caliber filmmaking and there are a few that make your jaw drop,” said Aley. “The powerful stories of people and nature come alive through these films.”
The Wild and Scenic Film Festival takes place Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $16 at the box office or at themusichall.org.