It took about 30 seconds to decide that I wanted to see “Return of the River” all the way through the film’s credits; about 10 seconds more to know that I wanted you to see it, too.
“Return” is a story about loss, hope, persistence, science and evolution of values. It tells the story but the short background is this: Construction of the Elwha River dam was built in 1910 to give a boost to the Port Angeles economic growth; later a second dam was built. The cost included the destruction of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s homes and thousands of years of a traditional way of living, and destruction of the richest salmon runs outside of Alaska.
Manifest Destiny was still a national philosophy.
“Back then, the way humans related to nature was something to be conquered. After all, there were fish everywhere, trees everywhere,” said filmmaker John Gussman.
Gradually, values changed. By the 1980s, the fight to remove the dams was in full swing at local, state and national levels. Eventually the logjam was broken (in part with scientific facts), consensus achieved, laws changed.
“I’d been following the dam removal issue for decades,” Gussman said. “When they actually started working on tearing the dams down, I decided that I was going to be the guy to document it.”
His project lasted four years. Others may have given up, gone in other directions, but not Gussman.
“To me, anything that has been real monumental was driven by passion, not money. I just wanted to tell the story. I wanted to have other people see what was happening here and that it was a story of hope. We can all use a little hope, especially around environmental issues.”
Gussman’s persistence was given a boost when Jessica Plumb brought a different skill set two years in.
“She had the same passion for the story, lives on the Olympic Peninsula as well and wanted to help make the movie. The film would not be what it is today not for her incredible writing and editing skills,” Gussman said.
Finally, the power plants were shut down. On Aug. 26, 2014, the final explosions were detonated and the Elwha River was free to restore the natural order.
And the salmon? Several days later, they began to swim up the Elwha to spawn.
“Even after 100 years of being blocked, they still have this sense of where to go. “I feel wonderful about being able to see this river be the way it’s supposed to be. We’ve done all this work to remove these impediments and now it’s nature’s turn,” Gussman said.
“It’s pretty much doing what scientists have expected. The only surprise so far is how much sediment has come out, which is a good thing,” he said.
“For me and Jessica, the whole thing has been motivated by love of place and the love of a story … on our own time and own dime (plus donations and grants). Hopefully it will change people’s minds, to think twice about how they relate to the planet.”
This is a film that could change minds. Gussman and Plumb combined stunning photography, skilled writing, a savvy sense of timing; respectful inclusion of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s participation; and setting the tone in having the Elwha River “narrate” the film, complemented by the words of the players during a century of attitude changes.
By the time the credits were rolling, I was ready to stand up and cheer.
Manifest Destiny built the dams. A change in environmental consciousness and persistence manifested a new destiny.
“Return of the River” will be shown at 7 p.m. May 16, Edmonds Unitarian Church, 8109 224th St. SW, as part of the Meaningful Movies series. Admission is free, discussion with the filmmaker following the film.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached by calling 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
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