I am excited to announce that my new feature-length documentary film Part of the Pack, co-directed by Mike McKinlay and myself, and produced by Kevin Eastwood is coming to a film festival near you this Fall! I have been working on this film for the last four years and it is almost surreal to think that it is now about to make its debut in the world!
Long feared, the wolves that have survived in places such as Vancouver Island in British Columbia, now live in a habitat that is becoming increasingly encroached upon by human development. At the same time our fascination with the wolf — as the quintessential symbol of something wild and dangerous — has become stronger. As urban lifestyles have increasingly removed us from nature, some people long to find that connection again and encountering a wolf can satisfy our craving for the natural world. Some people have even taken a step further by bringing a wolf or wolf-dog into their homes (literally into their living rooms) as a way to feel closer to the wild.
Part of the Pack follows the stories of three individuals who have developed a unique relationship to individual wolves, and explores the ethical questions around creating intimacy with the wild.
Managing our relationships with wild animals in increasingly shared spaces is becoming one of the most important dilemmas of our modern world. As human development continues to encroach on nature, and more of us find ourselves face to face with wildlife in our own backyards, the stories of these three animal-lovers seeking a connection with one of the most feared and mythologized beasts in history, may provide lessons for the rest of us in how to navigate our relationship with wildlife – no matter where we live.
For updates on the film and screening news, find me on Instagram