Yukon Kings

Yukon Kings, 2013
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2711564/)
no copyright infringement intended

The Yukon River draws into its mouth the largest migration of chinook, chum, and coho salmon stocks in the world. For the chinook, or kings, the river offers passage from the Bering Sea to spawning streams across Alaska and Yukon Territory all the way to British Columbia. The iconic fish run is one of the longest freshwater fish migrations on earth. Because the kings will not feed once they enter the river, they must build up tremendous oil reserves beforehand. Burning only this fuel, some of the Canada-bound kings will ascend the river over 2,000 miles, climbing 2,200 feet, fighting the Yukon’s powerful current for up to two months. Consequently, with oil levels reaching more than 30 percent of their muscle weight, Yukon kings are the richest salmon in the world. More oil means more moisture, more flavor, and a lusher taste. Many epicures say these salmon have no equal. They’re like blocks of butter, says one Yukon River fisherman.

(Alaska Journal of Commerce)

A nine minute documentary made by Emanuel Vaughan-Lee, telling the story of nowadays King salmon of the Yukon River. It's the most celebrated variety of salmon, now in danger of going into extinction. Historically, the average Yukon king run was around 300,000; but in the 16 years since 1997 half the run has disappeared; the average harvest is only a third what it was (Alaska Journal of Commerce). The fish is shrinking in size and in weight: evolutionary biology predicts that if a population is subject to significantly increased mortality, earlier sexual maturity will result, and breeding will occur at a smaller body size (Alaska Journal of Commerce). The ecological danger is tackled by the movie somehow obliquely: an old fisherman would love to have his grandchildren take over the trade (and pass the knowledge further, to future generations). His tone seems though far from optimistic. Under his plea there is concern. And so, the fisherman wish for his grandchildren becomes an elegy for an occupation that is in danger to disappear together with the Yukon king.

Yukon Kings, 2013
(video by Global Oneness Project)

(Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee)

Isle de Jean Charles

Early houses on Isle de Jean Charles
made from bousillage (mixture of mud and moss)
(http://www.isledejeancharles.com/)
no copyright infringement intended

Families have lived there for generations, making their livings on the surrounding waters. Time moves more slowly there, and a person’s sense of home, family and community is deep-rooted.

(NY Times)

Isle de Jean Charles is a tiny place deep in the bayous of South Louisiana. From the beginnings it has been an incredible realm of biodiversity. It is now a vanishing island, the scene of an ecological drama. Each hurricane brings narrower the moment when this island will be swallowed by the Gulf of Mexico. The effects of climate change are disastrous everywhere. Here they are just obvious.

An op-doc published in NY Times explores the dramatic realities of this island. The text is along with a ten minute movie. I would name it a great cinematic experience: an elegy for a disappearing paradise, told with dignity and restraint by its inhabitants. The author of the text and movie is Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee.

Here is a link to the text from NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/opinion/vanishing-island.html

Isle de Jean Charles, 2014
a documentary directed by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee
(video published in NY Times)

A levee system is being built to protect communities along Coastal Louisiana, but will bypass Isle de Jean Charles because the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the State Restoration Plan has determined it is not cost-effective to extend it to include the island (http://www.isledejeancharles.com/)



(Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee)

Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee

(http://emmanuelvaughanlee.com/evaughanlee)
no copyright infringement intended

His film work has been featured on PBS, NY Times, The Atlantic, Outside Magazine, exhibited at The Smithsonian and screened in theaters and festivals. Previously he performed with some of the biggest names in Jazz, as well as releasing two records under his own name.

(http://emmanuelvaughanlee.com/evaughanlee)

• Wukchumni Language (Marie's Dictionary)
• Isle de Jean Charles
• Yukon Kings

(Filmofilia)

Wukchumni Language (Marie's Dictionary)

(Tule River Tribe Official Website)
no copyright infringement intended

Throughout the United States, many Native American languages are struggling to survive. According to Unesco, more than 130 of these languages are currently at risk, with 74 languages considered “critically endangered.” These languages preserve priceless cultural heritage, and some hold unexpected value — nuances in these languages convey unparalleled knowledge of the natural world.

(NY Times)

I read in today's NY Times an op-doc telling the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language, creator of a Wukhumni/English dictionary. It is a wonderful story, about an admirable woman fighting for her native language against all odds: against age, against poverty, against the unknowns in using computer. Fighting against all this and overcoming them, with hard work and splendid genuineness.

Along with the text there is a short documentary. Author of the text and of the short movie is Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, a filmmaker and musician living in California. The titles of his other films look very interesting (like Laugh Clown Laugh, like Youkon Kings, like Isle of Jean Charles). I would like to know more about them. Actually, as I was writing this, I just found the Isle of Jean Charles. I will come back to it.

For now, you should read his op-doc about Marie Wilcox and the Wukhumi language:

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/19/opinion/who-speaks-wukchumni.html?emc=edit_th_20140819&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=46971918&_r=0

Marie's Dictionary
a documentary by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee
(video published by NY Times)

(Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee)