Feature Documentary, 92 min. 4K video, Atmos surround sound

World Premiere: Mountainfilm — Telluride, CO (USA) — May 24, 2024

Learn more at the FILM WEBSITE

What exactly is a “good wolf”?  That depends on who you ask. A century ago, many Americans would have echoed a common government bounty slogan, “A good wolf is a dead wolf.” But times have changed. Now, if you are a wildlife activist, a good wolf is probably a wild one, free to live its life unhindered by human interference. For a hunter or fur trapper in rural Alaska, the answer might have more to do with providing sustenance and livelihood for you and your family. To a scientist, good wolves might be the ones that provide useful data. If you are a visitor to Denali National Park, a good wolf might be the one that crosses the road in front of your tour bus for a photo opportunity.

A Good Wolf  is a feature-length documentary that explores these diverging viewpoints within the context of the lengthy, emotionally charged, and continuing battle over how wolves (and bears) are managed at the northeast boundary of Denali National Park.

But this film is about much more than wolves. It’s about the complexities and difficulties of balancing competing human interests on public lands. It explores opposing ideas about wild predators’ place among humans, and what (if any) responsibility we might have to manage them within natural ecosystems. And it illuminates fundamental differences in how people determine the value of wildlife, wilderness, and National Parks.

A Good Wolf follows the activities of wildlife activists, a local hunter/trapper, and Denali National Park biologists over the course of three years. Their stories and work give viewers a compelling glimpse into the various ways residents relate to animals and each other in this isolated and often harsh landscape. Through these interwoven narratives, we can better understand the historical and contemporary issues at play, including political, regulatory, scientific, and cultural influences.

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