Thank God for nature filmmakers. Sure, we could try to get ourselves out to some breathtaking wilderness. But would we really have the time—or the patience—to wait for a herd of elk to appear? Or the equipment to capture a shy family of beavers building a dam? And don’t even get me started on the vertigo that would stop me from watching a young condor soar above the Grand Canyon.
Thankfully, filmmaker Ben Masters and his team of cinematographers have done all of that for us. They’ve spent countless hours in the field, so that we can experience these wonders in under two hours—and for the price of a ticket.
THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST is Masters’ third feature documentary, and it’s a stunning addition to his body of work. This time, he takes us along the mighty Colorado River, from its headwaters in the Rockies, through the Grand Canyon, and down to the Gulf of California. Along the way, we meet the signature species that call the river home, and we come to understand the delicate balance of this vital ecosystem.
The film not only helps us appreciate these creatures and landscapes, but also explores the impact we humans have on the river—and how we might become better stewards of our environment.
It’s a beautiful, meaningful film with something for audiences of all ages.
Join us now for our conversation with Ben Masters, Inside the Arthouse, starting now.
Created in association with Natives Outdoors, THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST highlights the region’s deep cultural history and the urgent need to manage the river more sustainably so that both wildlife and society can thrive.