52docs / 24 - Mush!

We’re hitting a rich vein of human / non-human relationships so let’s head to Norway where dogs are helping teenagers figure out some life stuff.

I remember seeing the seminal Jesus Camp by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing way back when it came out almost twenty years ago, and wondering how on earth they convinced the Kids on Fire School of Ministry to give them access to an evangelical summer camp for children - especially since the film led to the camp’s closure.

The film they made before that one - Boys of Baraka - followed young African American boys from Baltimore to rural Kenya and a chance at a different path.

This week’s documentary adopts a similar format to their earlier work - a group of young people at a critical point in their lives stepping away from the familiar to find new understanding (assisted in this case by some sled dogs and the isolation of the Arctic wilderness).

I’m hoping for insight, evolution, emotional catharsis, humor, beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling. Oh wait, that’s what I hope for every film…

Trailer

Short interview with the filmmakers.

Review

Rent (for 1.99!) on Apple TV in the US and via Dogwoof in the UK later this week.