Being Caribou

Overview of Being Caribou

• Comparison with Other Documentaries

  • Similar themes to Grizzly Man; focus on human-animal connection, though explored differently.

  • Both films depict journeys to live with specific animal species.

  • Filmmakers and characters differ significantly, with distinct motivations.

Film Details

• Release Information

  • Title: Being Caribou

  • Release Date: February 2004

  • Directed by: Leanne Allison (co-protagonist) and Diane Wilson (post-production involvement).

  • Available on the National Film Board portal through university library.

• Book Companion

  • Companion book by Kirsten Heuer came after the film.

  • Offers deeper backstory, logistics of the journey, and different narrative perspectives.

  • Highlights include food drops and detailed experiences during the trip.

Protagonists and Filmmakers

• Kirsten Heuer

  • Profession: Biologist, Park Warden, Environmental Activist.

• Leanne Allison

  • Profession: Filmmaker, Activist.

• Athletic Endeavors

  • Both protagonists have extensive hiking/cross-country experience.

  • Undertook challenging journeys similar to or more demanding than this film's trek.

Documentary Film Concepts

• Definitions and Objectives

  • Documentaries present factual information about the real world through creative mediums.

  • Being Caribou emphasizes personal involvement of filmmakers, diverging from conventional approaches.

• Creative Representation

  • Unlike traditional nature documentaries, this film showcases human interactions with animals and nature.

  • Filmmakers stress their involvement and relationships during the storytelling process.

Narrative Structure

• Characteristics of the Journey

  • Story follows Carsten and Leanne tracking the Porcupine caribou migration.

  • Emphasis on preserving caribou habitat and awareness of environmental issues.

  • Narrative structure diverges from classic hero monomyth: both protagonists serve as equal parts in the story.

• Comparison to Conventional Documentaries

  • Traditional narrators often absent; emphasis on visual storytelling.

  • This film integrates the human experience, attributing a reciprocal role to the caribou.

Themes of Co-existence

• Caribou as Co-Protagonists

  • Narrative driven by caribou, emphasizing their role in guiding the journey.

  • Highlights mobile relationship between humans and animals as opposed to static human-dominated narratives.

• Experiential Learning

  • Participants endure physical challenges, emotional stresses, and realizations throughout the journey.

  • Emphasis on understanding the fragility of caribou habitats amidst climate change impacts.

Challenges to the Hero Quest Narrative

• Unique Approach

  • Unlike survival or self-discovery narratives, Carsten and Leanne's journey co-created with caribou.

  • The shifting goal of the narrative reflects the dynamics of following the caribou rather than a static destination.

• Implications of Indigenous Wisdom

  • Guided by local Gwich'in elder, integrating a respectful and informed approach to the land and its inhabitants.

  • Acknowledgment of the historical relationship between Gwich'in peoples and caribou, contrasting the human-centered wilderness narrative.

Comparative Analysis with Other Films

• Grizzly Man

  • Similarities in seeking human-animal connections, but differences in knowledge and motives.

  • Treadwell's tragic narrative contrasts with the informed approach of Heuer and Allison.

• Into the Wild

  • Both involve challenging Alaskan landscapes in search of wild experiences, yet differ in execution and philosophical underpinnings.

• Silent Enemy

  • Portrayal of caribou migration compared across different narratives.

  • Exploration of theme: what does following caribou signify in various contexts?

Conclusion and Discussion Prompts

• Consider the implications of Being Caribou on the representation of human-animal relationships in media.

• Analyze how the film redefines typical adventure narratives within a contemporary socio-environmental context.