Naturalist Bill Mason on his journey by canoe into the Ontario wilderness. The filmmaker and artist begins on Lake Superior, then explores winding and sometimes tortuous river waters to the meadowlands of the river's source. Along the way, Mason paints scenes that capture his attention and muses about his love of the canoe, his artwork and his own sense of the land. Mason also uses the film as a commentary on the link between God and nature and the vast array of beautiful canvases God created for him to paint. Features breathtaking visuals and exciting whitewater footage, with a musical score by Bruce Cockburn.
Cinematography
Mason shot this himself — every frame is a painting waiting to happen.
Score
Bruce Cockburn's guitar sounds like wind through pine trees.
Practical Effects
Real whitewater, real danger, zero safety nets — 1984 indie filmmaking at its purest.
Director
Bill Mason
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Mason was already a legendary canoeist when he made this — his instructional books taught thousands how to paddle.
This is essentially Canadian cinema's answer to 'Koyaanisqatsi' — same era, same obsession with landscape as spiritual text, but with way more mosquitoes.
CA
US
