The Kings of the North are back In the Yukon.
The feature film Kings of the North is slated to run at the Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) on Nov. 10, 2023, and one of the film’s co-creators, Peter Zenkl, couldn’t be happier.
“It’s super exciting,” Zenkl said about having an opportunity to get the film shown again at the YAC. He added that when he, Peter Mather and Matthew Lien were making the film, the trio often didn’t see the film as a whole because they were so consumed with the day-to-day tasks of making it. But now that it’s hitting screens on a regular basis, it puts a smile on his face. “It’s a big thrill to see it every time.”
What makes it even more special is the rising demand to see the film, by the people Zenkl encounters when he’s out and about. He said he often receives comments from Yukoners who want to know when the film will be showing again in the territory. “There still seems to be a lot of interest in the show,” Zenkl said. The filmmakers had a small showing at Winterlong Brewing, in the early spring, and then had its premier at the YAC in April. Since then it’s been shown in Haines Junction, Dawson City and Vancouver and will make an appearance at both the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival on Nov. 16 at the Rio Theatre on East Broadway and at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival slated for January 16–23, 2024, in Naples, Fla.
The evening will consist of a photo showcase by Jesse Winter, also a Kwanlin Dün First Nation Elder (TBD) who will tell a story about salmon, and Peter Mather will hold a book-signing session. The evening will conclude with the screening of Kings Of The North and a reception with a Q&A session, Zenkl said. Proceeds from the sale of beer from Winterlong Brewing will be donated to the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Mather, videographer Zenkl, and Lien came together over the past two years to turn what began as a photography project for Mather into a major passion project for the trio. Having an opportunity to document these bears is something Mather has wanted to do since he was a youngster and an emerging photographer and was hearing stories about the famous ice bears.
He recalled one about an older bear, in the village of Klukshu, who was respectfully named “The Mayor” by locals who said the older bear would often drive off younger bears from the site. Mather said it made for a good relationship between the bear and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) using the river, as it reduced the chances of human-bear contact.
Zenkl, who has been photographing and filming northern lifestyles in the Yukon for the last several years, for magazines and social media in Europe, said the opportunity to work with Mather was an amazing one. He said it was definitely hard work (he also became a new father during this time), and those two major changes in his life have helped define who he is, he said.
Zenkl said he is thrilled with the chance to showcase the film at the YAC, once more, and is grateful for the support he and his co-creators have experienced.
“It’s an amazing space at the Arts Centre,” he added. “We are really grateful for all the interest and support.”
In addition, he said he thinks there is still a lot the film can offer people.
“We think it has a very powerful message.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased through the YAC box office at $35 plus tax for adults, and $30 plus tax for both students and seniors. The entire event will run from 7:15–10 p.m.
