• Run time: 85 minutes
• Country of origin: United States

Genre:

Synopsis:

“River Ways” explores the lives of regular working people affected by the issue of whether to remove four dams on the Snake River in Eastern Washington. Environmental groups and fishing interests criticize the dams for their negative impact on salmon populations, but agricultural communities dependent on the dams oppose efforts to remove them. Combining interviews with careful everyday observation, and set against the scenic backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, “River Ways” introduces us to a set of characters with a surprisingly complex mix of perspectives. Frank Sutterlict, a Native American fisherman living in an encampment on the Columbia River, struggles to make ends meet in the face of dwindling salmon numbers. Ben Barstow, a family farmer in Washington, fears the effect of dam removal on his already marginal business. And Mark Ihander, a commercial fisherman, hangs on to an industry in economic decline. Other subjects include environmental activists, irrigators, sport fishermen, and salmon biologists. What emerges is a complex portrait of an issue that reaches to the heart of the ideological differences that characterize and divide the Pacific Northwest.(more)

• Director:

  Colin Stryker

• Writer(s):

  Colin Stryker

• Producer(s):

  Colin Stryker

• Director of Photography:

  Matt Reynolds

• Cast and Credits:

  Cast list (primary subjects)
  
  Ben Barstow, Wheat farmer
  Mark Ihander, Commercial fisherman
  Frank Sutterlict, Tribal fisherman
  
  Main interviewees:
  Tom Anderson, Motel owner
  James Buchal, Attorney
  Reed Burkholder Salmon, advocate
  Terry Holubetz Salmon, biologist
  Nicola Johnson, Assistant Hatchery Manager, Rapid River Fish Hatchery
  Gary Lane, Fishing guide
  John McKern Salmon, biologist
  Aaron Miles, Tribal fisherman
  Tom Stuart Board member, Idaho Rivers United
  Ralph Thomsen, Irrigator
  Les Wigen Commissioner, Whitman County
  Rexann Zimmerman, Tackle shop owner
  
  Production credits
  Colin Stryker: Director, producer, editor, production sound
  Matt Reynolds: Director of photography, camera operator
  David Bryant: Additional camera, animations
  Mike Chappell: Additional camera
  Selena Chang: Additional sound
  Samantha Chappell: Additional sound
  Original Music: Barry Brusseau, Colin Stryker, Richard Temple
  Featuring Music by Town and Country(more)

• Film Website:

  http:/ / www.sawgrassproductions.com/ river_ways

• Film:

  

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