Arctic Son
- Directors: Jean Aspen, Tom Irons
- Cast: Jean Aspen, Tom Irons, Lucas Irons, Laurie Schacht
Documentary. 150 minutes. Not Rated. Digital Projection.
Watch the trailer!
You can watch the trailer for Arctic Son on this page below.
Synopsis for Arctic Son:
First-screened at the Little Art last year, ARCTIC SON returns yet this time Tom Irons himself will be present for the screening and to answer Q&A afterwards.
Don't miss this special film and a chance to speak with Tom about their experiences and what has transpired since.
"I receive a lot of requests from independent film distribution companies to screen works by unknown filmmakers, and sometimes requests comes directly from the filmmakers themselves, as was the case with Arctic Son. It's difficult to find the time to preview them all much less a film like Arctic Son that runs 2 1/2 hours, but time rather disappeared on me while watching this film as I merged with its rhythm. It's a lovely, intimate family portrait of 14 months spent in the remote Brooks Range of Alaska. Far removed from society and friends the film captures all that blesses and challenges this family internally and externally while surrounded by extreme beauty and utter silence."—Jenny Cowperthwaite, Executive Director, Little Art Theatre
Synopsis: In the spring of 1992 author Jeanie Aspen, daughter of Alaskan adventurers Constance and Bud Helmericks, set out with her husband, Tom, their 6-year-old son, Luke, and friend Laurie for fourteen months alone in Alaska's remote Brooks Range. Flown into the wilderness, the four strive to gain a foothold before winter reclaims the land, a hundred miles from the nearest other people. The following summer they face a perilous 600-mile downriver canoe journey back to the world they left behind.
As professional artists, Tom and Jeanie readily incorporate the camera into family life, candidly recording their struggles and triumphs against the awesome beauty of America's last great wilderness. Each member of the small family shares honestly the challenges of this new life. Luke's entries are charming and poignant as we watch him mature under the tutelage of arctic wilderness. Extraordinary historic footage of Jeanie as a child in the Brooks Range adds depth to this story of pioneer spirit and evolving relationships.
Admission is $6.