00:00:00: Welcome

00:00:00: at Vision du Real.

00:00:01: Here we are with our next interview, a wonderful documentary film that I could already see at Sundance and it's by Gabriela Osovan and Jack Weisman.

00:00:10: Both of them here now!

00:00:11: Hi!

00:00:12: Hey there

00:00:13: Thank you for having

00:00:13: us.

00:00:13: You had your Sundance premiere with the Nutions Bear.

00:00:17: This film is about polar bears And their relationship With humans.

00:00:22: In an Alaska town It´s called Polar Bear Capital Of The World Humans have intruded into the polar bear´s terrain.

00:00:29: The polar bears are kind of getting their original terrain back.

00:00:32: That's what we should say, but also the polar bears have a huge attraction for tourists.

00:00:36: you know everybody wants to see a polar bear and now these bears become annutions apparently to people.

00:00:43: How did you find that Dari?

00:00:44: The story

00:00:45: actually takes place in Northern Canada And Gaby & I were students in Toronto studying film and Polar Bears Are sort-of a symbol of Canada.

00:00:54: This place is kinda well known within Canada and with Canadian history up there as students and were totally shocked by the difference between what we thought about polar bears, and what we're seeing on the ground.

00:01:06: And the images that have been captured—that we've seen in magazines and planet Earth — you know many of those images are taken in Churchill when they show this bear or majestic creature with pristine wilderness without being molested by people or obscured by telephone poles or any sort human infrastructure.

00:01:23: all that's removed from these images to create a solution for wildness.

00:01:27: when we were there and confronted by this circus, We were just shocked.

00:01:31: So from the first trip that it was a jaw-dropping experience I guess?

00:01:34: The both bears themselves but also the economy around the Bears in the way that this community of Churchill is coexisting And From their we sort started to ask questions.

00:01:42: You know what happens to these polar bears after tour That where basically on ends?

00:01:46: Where does that bear go?

00:01:47: It turns out There are other communities north Of Churchill that have A very different relationship with These bears.

00:01:54: Very different relation Different history Have been forced relocated into Arvi at Nunavut.

00:01:59: So there are two communities of the

00:02:07: heart.

00:02:26: If you get too close to a bear and it turns into bad interaction, they'll potentially get shot.

00:02:30: It was very important for us have a respectful distance.

00:02:33: We've seen so many bears while filming this film.

00:02:36: They're all individuals.

00:02:37: You can watch them have their own behaviours As much as the film looks like its single-bear.

00:02:42: What we really did is followed type of bear rather than one bear.

00:02:46: So what we cast with young male bear that more of a nuisance One who tends go for garbage And pushes boundaries.

00:02:53: We knew that's the kind of bear we wanted to follow.

00:02:55: one bear too closely, then it would be harassment.

00:02:58: So we were very.

00:02:59: being respectful to the animals was very important in our process.

00:03:02: Yeah an enormous amount of thought went into the way that we filmed The Animals and we thought about research around polar bears as we are developing this plan.

00:03:09: And there are types of research which is active Research.

00:03:12: where they pursue an animal They tranquilize.

00:03:14: you see it In the film.

00:03:16: Then There Are passive research techniques Which are much more collection.

00:03:19: Let the Bear come To You Or don't try to alter its path Too Much.

00:03:22: It's not As aggressive a really firing model for how we thought about solving the bears.

00:03:28: These

00:03:28: different attitudes that you describe in interacting with the animals are also reflected in the community because We have the Inuk Community of the native Canadian population.

00:03:39: It's complicated, both communities actually have indigenous history and Indigenous roots.

00:03:43: They exist in different provinces, different states so to speak.

00:03:46: in Canada One is an indigenous territory And one is province of Canada Because those governments they just had of living, different ways of managing wildlife.

00:03:56: It's almost like two different countries within Canada that share one single group of bears.

00:04:00: and I would also add that in Churchill during bear season it becomes a lot more colonial types of people because the big tours are operated by... A lot of people who don't live there most of the time they come in and they're generally white.

00:04:13: however There are a few indigenous run tours in Churchill as well.

00:04:16: They're smaller And their really great.

00:04:18: That is what we recommend to anybody thinking about Churchill We not selling people not to know and experience these animals.

00:04:25: It's an incredible place, but I think just we wanted... People understand the full complexity of a least what we experienced while we were making this film and presented in this way.

00:04:33: that doesn't judge But reveals all of the fault lines without saying This side is right and That sides wrong.

00:04:40: The main difference In the interactionist study more westernized community sees the bears as problem As an issue.

00:04:47: it has to be somehow dealt with While the native communities see the bears as part of nature, is a part of their surroundings and also much more individuals.

00:04:58: When you talk about bear, the boundaries of the bears... The personality of the bear, it's true that animals do have a personality.

00:05:03: I think everybody who ever has even just a pet knows And we should treat them with.

00:05:09: how did YOU feel?

00:05:10: For

00:05:10: me i always felt its very complicated!

00:05:13: And then they have strangers coming in all the time and they kind of teach them how to operate.

00:05:25: So there is this robust conservation effort, trying keep people safe from bears.

00:05:31: so it's deeply complicated.

00:05:32: but I think we feel very enriched with a time where you've got to spend just having a different point-of-view for both Jack & I. We really are curious people time that we did with someone like Mike, who could speak about his experiences and just give us a broader viewpoint on it.

00:05:56: I think the word I am using to describe is dialectic where two opposing things can be true at the same time.

00:06:04: And We have a tendency now in our culture to simplify things In order make them digestible so they're more palatable.

00:06:10: That's an enormous disservice both for arts but also as people.

00:06:15: For me was never being really attached one particular view falling too deeply into it.

00:06:21: It was about empathizing with every perspective within this spectrum of people and trying to be authentic to what, you know we were seeing in the movie.

00:06:29: The conditions

00:06:30: is Churchill nature wise.

00:06:31: they're beautiful but also extremely harsh.

00:06:33: its super cold.

00:06:34: that's a ton off snow.

00:06:36: so how difficult was it?

00:06:37: To

00:06:37: shoot?

00:06:37: well because We are using this vehicle system That we developed where again the cameras outside on the exterior the camera facing the harsh weather And we are very cozy inside having snacks listening to music.

00:06:49: It was a lot of waiting!

00:07:18: hanging around the community.

00:07:19: The most problematic bears, we wanted a bear that nobody wanted!

00:07:23: That was the bear that was most interesting to us because that told us the most about who we are.

00:07:28: and how was your interaction with the indigenous community?

00:07:32: Was it hard to get access?

00:07:34: Extremely.

00:07:35: It took seven years at least in order to feel comfortable even talking this idea publicly.

00:07:43: something but its never linear relationship.

00:07:47: You have these breakthroughs, but then you had the setbacks and a term.

00:07:50: another Indigenous filmmaker used Zach Khalil as moving at this speed of trust.

00:07:54: And I think that wasn't in the term we understood.

00:07:56: it's time to make the film But really rings true now where were going on?

00:08:00: pace that was comfortable for people who wanted behind camera or front-of-the-camera so earning Mike's Trust the narrator of the film.

00:08:08: That is sort of an ultimate outcome with all timespends With different elders and screening The feature film based on short films within New York And that's a whole kind of separate journey into itself.

00:08:19: But we used that short film as a model to explain, to RV it as community what you were trying do and That was an enormously helpful tool.

00:08:28: So eventually through many conversations for years Of doubt not being sure if should be making this film Through the death of Mike Sun Eventually Mike sort of emerged us As central narrator.

00:08:40: He really wanted part of project because he saw opportunity To heal to talk about something that was devastating, and he hadn't really had the chance to talk in this way.

00:08:50: And so it wasn't enormously therapeutic for him or us I think making it but it's very

00:08:55: difficult.".

00:09:06: And so it happens a lot that people want to make films there, and then they just wanna kinda shoehorn what they already expect.

00:09:20: So I think part of the reason why we did get access is because we really did take the time Because we could...because didn't have anybody.

00:09:28: We followed all rules.

00:09:29: You got the termines?

00:09:30: We took our step back when you were asked Take

00:09:33: your step back Rather than go in with an idea and try to make it happen.

00:09:37: Our idea was made by our times spent and our time listening.

00:09:40: It's

00:09:40: beautiful like collaboration At the beginning like it was gonna be possible to get to the point that we have, but now that were here its been one of greatest gifts with being able hear Mike's story.

00:09:51: And this is why I think having independent cinema very important.

00:09:54: We

00:09:55: see some impressive images in your documentary Like those bears for example being lifted by helicopters and also a surreal image you know polar bear floating through air.

00:10:04: Was there any great footage that either couldn't cap or put into film?

00:10:10: One scene just didn't fit on the film though It doesn't sound like it would have been, but it was a chicken bus.

00:10:16: So we had this beautiful bus that was all lit with red and it had hors frost on the front.

00:10:20: And its an example of how living in Churchill is very complicated because just to have something as simple As a chicken coop can be problematic cause it attracts the bear so has to be at moving vehicle.

00:10:29: The

00:10:29: film is a compilation Of All the Great Assets.

00:10:31: These are things That made our jaw completely draw.

00:10:34: You know some these things Have never been photographed before Never witnessed by people.

00:10:38: Before the Bear escaping the Trap for Example People Had Heard That It Happened But It Never actually been photographed or seen.

00:10:44: We had these moments, you know?

00:10:46: You go out.

00:10:47: for two hundred and fifty days we spent filming And in that time...you may only have like twenty great moments ten great moments.

00:10:54: so then try to create a narrative with those.

00:10:56: So it's really about a lot of sitting & waiting but..we feel really happy with everything that ended up.

00:11:00: on the film I would say We put so much care and energy into it for years.

00:11:15: You make something kind of in your little community, In your little corner And you have no idea if its going to resonate with people.

00:11:22: So I mean just having People that we respect like the jury.

00:11:25: That was at Sundance where filmmakers really admire and so Having them acknowledge a film Like that were just very grateful.

00:11:32: It's obviously Very satisfying To spend ten years working on Something.

00:11:35: then they work out Because the odds Were not in our favor or Really any filmmaker state because it is so difficult to make a film, especially now.

00:11:43: So I think we're just not taking any of that for granted and all the screenings have been full or selling out.

00:11:49: It feels like there's still an audience growing through the film And so we are thankful that were getting this opportunity.

00:11:55: Do

00:11:55: you already work on your new documentary project?

00:11:58: Yeah!

00:11:59: Everyone wants to know what we're up next but can't tell ya Fair

00:12:03: enough, fair enough!

00:12:04: Fifty percent of times they ask that question with that

00:12:07: answer

00:12:09: No i think... We're fascinated by storytelling.

00:12:13: I mean, like Gabby said we are really curious people and there's inspiration in anything you know?

00:12:18: And so i think it is about taking some time to consider what important for us after going through this experience being present with the experiences too not be focused on whats next but enjoying it.

00:12:28: But yeah..we got lots of ideas that were gonna do.

00:12:30: So What would your hope for audience take away from your film if they see it ?

00:12:34: I Hope They never look at a polar bear the same way again.

00:12:36: How

00:12:36: important its to consider multiple sides to something and be open.

00:12:41: The importance of empathy, discussion, having different viewpoints...

00:12:45: And care for this planet!

00:12:46: And the animals that we share it with.

00:12:49: That's

00:12:49: a wonderful closure to our interview.

00:12:51: Thank you so much Jack Weisman and Gabriella as well.

00:12:53: No problem.

00:12:53: Rainspear is now at Pison du Real As soon as it gets in local release.

00:12:57: You read

00:12:58: about it.