Press Release
CONTACT:
Kathy Chrestensen – crestpictures@frontier.com
Crest Pictures – www.crestpictures.com
Not Just Another Mount Rainier Film ~ Below the Clouds to screen at 2007 Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
Seattle, WA ~ March 23, 2006. Crest Pictures is proud to announce the acceptance of its latest film Below the Clouds / Rainier Impressions into the 2007 Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival. Robert Chrestensen is an emerging nature filmmaker who has previously screened at the Hazel Wolf with Lifespring in 2003 and Wanderings in 2006.
The film will be shown on March 31 during the Saturday 5:15 pm
session in the "Oasis" Room (#234) at Kane Hall where Washington
Trails Association (WTA) and Conservation NW are room sponsors. This "quiet-time" venue
was set up to give weary festival-goers a break for relaxation and reflection – to
simply enjoy nature's beauty and its wonders. Anyone already attending
the festival will get free admission to the show.
Below the Clouds premiered last fall on KCTS Television's award-winning
program About Us. The series showcases the work of Washington and British
Columbia independent filmmakers highlighting topics and experiences that
are distinctive to the Northwest. Soon after, Crest Pictures produced
and released Below the Clouds on DVD. To complement the film there are
bonus features, including a "locations" video gallery; a "Behind
the Camera" discussion covering the How, What, Why and Hopes of
the filmmaker; and a "Behind the Score" composer's discussion
of her processes and challenges. The DVD also includes a guide to the
seven principles of Leave No Trace, a program designed to educate those
who enjoy wild places about the consequences of their actions and the
techniques to prevent and minimize their impact.
While Mt Rainier is a world-renowned climbing destination, the national park offers so much more. This film focuses primarily on the land below the clouds – the heart and soul of "The Mountain." It progresses from the purely natural world, looks at human presence – their impacts and interactions, reveals the subtle blending of both worlds, and captures the simple harmony between animals and their natural habitat. It not only portrays the true essence of an extraordinary mountain, but also clearly serves as a testimony for wilderness preservation. Follow in his footsteps as the filmmaker reveals the secrets of this Northwest icon.
Below the Clouds is art on film – with nature being the palette. Chrestensen artfully depicts the majesty and diversity of this unique mountain environment. The film is a sensory experience with stunning imagery and a captivating original score by Northwest talent Annastasia Workman. There is no narration so the viewer is free to become fully immersed in the beautiful mountain scenery and inspiring musical themes. This is not a Hollywood production (no film crews, big cameras, dollies or fly-overs), just simply a very personal experience with a mountain. The filmmaker spends four years filming Mt Rainier while hiking and backpacking with his wife. He uses a lightweight mini-DV camera giving him access to less frequented and hard to reach wilderness locations. The couple covers over 600 miles and nearly 190,000 feet in elevation gain, and travels to various aspects on the mountain – to high vistas and into spectacular backcountry. Through his lens Chrestensen explores its natural textures, dancing cloudscapes, subtle features and colors, dramatic reliefs, and impressive power.
Go here for additional information and media material: http://www.crestpictures.com/belowtheclouds
Reviews:
"I believe you captured the mystique, beauty, spirit and soul
of my favorite mountain. This film allows each of us to personally
connect with Rainier."
–
Peter Whittaker, Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.
"
You can be proud that you have portrayed our mountain in such grandeur."
–
Cecelia Svinth Carpenter, Indian Historian and Author, Where The
Waters Begin, The Traditional Nisqually Indian History of Mount
Rainier
"
If you love 'The Mountain,' you'll love Below the Clouds."
–
Mike Gauthier, Lead Climbing Ranger, Mt Rainier National Park and
Author, Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide
"
Loved the music. Flowers, animals, birds, TERRIFIC. Good show!"
–
Harvey Manning, Author, 100 Classic Hikes in Washington