Published: December 3rd, 2009 04:17 PM
Last Modified: November 30th, 2009 03:31 PM
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One film made, one film festival victory.
One hundred percent success is the sort of record even the most acclaimed movie directors would love -- and one that Anchorage videographer Carl Battreall now owns after his 26-minute documentary on winter riding in Alaska, "Fat Bikes," won first place at the Boston Bike Film Festival last month. It was Battreall's first film.
To be sure, the Boston festival is a far cry from the Academy Awards, Cannes or the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Only about two dozen films were submitted to Boston. But a win is a win, particularly when it comes over "Klunkerz," an acclaimed film about the origins of mountain biking that has already scored several film festival victories.
"It isn't a huge film festival," Battreall said. "Honestly, it was made for under $5,000. I did the entire thing myself. I've been a photographer 15 years and it's my first one."
The film documents the passions and perils of winter biking, following Josh Morehouse and Mike Morganson as they ride through town and train for the Susitna 100 race in February. Morganson finished 36th overall in 34 hours, 28 minutes; Morehouse scratched midway through the 100-mile race.
"The people are really likable characters," Battreall said. "It was appealing to people, I think, because of the tenacity of the riders. Seeing the bikes on snow, up here we're used to it but it's really unique to other people."
For Morganson, a bicycle commuter for decades, it's just his routine.
"We filmed a lot of stuff around town commuting," said Morganson, a former co-worker of Battreall's at REI. "I kept wondering -- is that going to make the cut?"
The film will debut locally at the Anchorage Film Festival next month.
Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.
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Anchorage International Film Fest
Festival guide, ticket information and resources to navigate this year's Anchorage International Film Festival.
Share your thoughts on the films in this year's Anchorage International Film Festival. Write a review in our You Be the Critic forum.
Hipsters
Set in 1954, with Soviet communism at the peak of its strength, Hipsters is the story of a small group of stilyagi – an actual Russian youth movement of the time in which Russian teens copied American rockabilly styles and danced to jazz music.
7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bear Tooth
Mount St. Elias
Two Austrian alpinists and an American free ski Alaska's second tallest mountain.
The Least Among You
The story of a young man railroaded by the police after the Watts Riots of 1965. Struggling with his demons and destiny, he must survive a year’s probation at an all-white seminary.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bear Tooth
Godspeed
This intense, dramatic thriller is set in the lingering light of the Alaskan midnight sun. Charlie Shepard is a modern day faith healer living hand-to-mouth in a blue-collar existence.
8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Bear Tooth and 9:45 Dec. 11 at the Alaska Experience Theatre
Fat Bike
An unknown group of cyclists embrace the beauty and challenges of riding bikes during the long Alaska winters.
Part of Snowdance 2, 5:45 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Alaska Experience Theatre and 5:30 Dec. 12 at Out North
Against the Current
With the five-year anniversary of his wife and child’s death rapidly approaching, Paul recruits his friends Jeff and Liz to help him realize his all-consuming goal of swimming the length of the Hudson River.
5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Bear Tooth
Dear Lemon Lima
A 13-year-old half Yup’ik girl navigates her way through heartbreak and prep school by rediscovering the spirit of the World Eskimo Indian Olympics.
5:30 Dec. 5 and 5:30 Dec. 13 at the Bear Tooth
Son of The Sunshine
Immersed in the dingy world of low-income housing and diagnosed at age 11 with Coprolalia Tourette’s Syndrome, Sonny Johnns cries out to a world that has left him by the wayside. With money saved from years of government disability, he undergoes an experimental surgery promising to rid him of his violent outbursts.
8 p.m. Dec. 8, 5:30 Dec. 11 at the Bear Tooth
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