Wednesday, October 19, 2011

No slack on screen

Two new sports films preview this week

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By JENNIFER LIEBRUM
Express Staff Writer

A Cuban fish makes his movie debut in “Connect,” the third in a series of fly-fishing films, preceded by “Drift” and “Rise.” Photo courtesy Jim Klug, Confluence Films

No matter the weather, grab a seat and watch a film sure to inspire your next outing.

The first is "Attack of La Niña," a chronicle of the winter of 2010-11. The film showcases the talents of today's best skiers in a journey through the snowiest winter of their lives.

The Matchstick Productions film was shot using state-of-the-art cameras to capture super-steep descents and giant air caught by skiers. The shoot covers sites in Colorado, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and California. It features the skiing of Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Rory Bushfield, Colby West, Jacob Wester, Henrik Windstedt, Bobby Brown, Cody Townsend, Ingrid Backstrom, Gus Kenworthy, Richard Permin, James Heim, Callum Pettit, Alex Schlopy, Torin Yater-Wallace and Russ Henshaw.

It shows one night only, tonight, Oct. 19, at the Sun Valley Opera House. Doors open at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. viewings.

Also circling the globe seeking adventure, but this time at the end of a translucent line, is the film "Connect," the third in a fly-fishing trilogy by Confluence Films, creators of "Drift" and "Rise," a collaboration between director and cinematographer Chris Patterson of Warren Miller Entertainment and executive producer and writer Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. The project includes locations in Japan, Maine, Cuba, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park and Tanzania.

"It's a full-length fly-fishing movie that takes viewers around the world," Klug said last week. "It's six totally separate films. We have a formula for each film so that we can have a little bit of everything. We have the exotic and also the domestic. We want the audience to be able to identify and relate to a place as well as dream and fantasize about the possibility."

What's even more special about the film is that the proceeds go to support The Nature Conservancy.

"Our condition for letting people screen our films is the stipulation that the proceeds have to be donated to a fisheries-based conservancy program," Klug said.

So far, screenings of their films have garnered more than $50,000 for grassroots fisheries and observation groups, Klug said, adding, "We're kind of proud of that."

The title "Connect" comes from the "primordial connection of the angler to the fish once you have the fish on the line."

Klug said even newcomers will enjoy the film as it provides an eye opener to the gateway sport that can take a traveler nearly anywhere in the world.

"The coolest thing about fly fishing is that if a fish can be caught on any type of tackle, there's a pretty good chance it can be caught on a fly," he said. "That's one of the neatest things about the sport—it can literally take you around the world and expose you to amazing things."

"Connect" will be shown at 7 p.m. at Whiskey Jacques' in Ketchum.

In this fast-paced world where everything people watch is often condensed to YouTube snippets, Klug said, his film gives the viewer a chance to "settle in and relax and enjoy all the possibilities that fly fishing can bring."

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"Attack of La Niña"

Today, Oct. 19

Sun Valley Opera House

7 and 9 p.m.

$10 at Formula Sports

or at the door.

"Connect"

Friday, Oct. 21.

Whiskey Jacques' at 7 p.m.

$10, benefits The Nature Conservancy.

Jennifer Liebrum: jliebrum@mtexpress.com

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