A film co-created by Yukon’s Mike Code, featuring a polar bear, secured a prestigious award at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary, titled “Nuisance Bear,” clinched the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Documentary competition, as disclosed by the festival on Friday morning. Code expressed surprise at the win, stating, “We had no idea this was going to happen,” and described their reaction as one of amazement.
The film follows a fictionalized journey of a solitary polar bear facing challenges in the Arctic, particularly human-bear interactions, as shared by Code in an interview on CBC’s Midday Cafe. It explores the significance of the bear to two distinct communities, Churchill, Man., and Arviat, Nunavut, without directly comparing them but focusing on the nuances of each community’s approach to the common issue of bears entering town.
Having lived in both Churchill and Arviat during his upbringing and witnessing numerous polar bears, Code highlighted his background with a father who was a teacher in Arviat and a wildlife cinematographer and bear guide in Churchill. The collaboration with the future directors of “Nuisance Bear,” Jack Wiseman and Gabriela Osio Vanden, began at the Hot Docs film festival in 2019, with filming commencing in Churchill in 2023.
Code detailed the innovative filming techniques employed, utilizing car-mounted cameras with advanced stabilization technology to capture unprecedented shots of bears in motion. The unique content captured during filming left an indelible impression on festival attendees, with many expressing awe at both the visual and narrative aspects of the film post-win.
Acknowledging the significance of showcasing work at Sundance, Code emphasized the event as a platform to connect with fellow filmmakers and elevate their project’s visibility. He underscored the festival’s recognition as a stamp of quality filmmaking and an opportunity to potentially gain industry accolades akin to Oscar nominations.
The success of “Nuisance Bear” at Sundance underscores the dedication and creativity of the filmmaking team, setting a high standard for their future endeavors.