Three of my favorite things in life are converging on Saturday, Aug 29 in Whitefish: documentaries, national parks and being one of the first to see something.
The National Parks Conservation Association and the Glacier National Park Fund will host a screening a “sneak peek” of Ken Burns’ highly anticipated PBS documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” The screening will take place at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door and there is only room for 250 people. Tickets can be purchased at the Montana Coffee Trader locations. Coffee, tea and cookies will be available at the screening.
Along with the movie, attendees will hear from co-producer Dayton Duncan and Glacier Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright.
Ken Burns has been making documentaries for PBS for 25 years. Some of his works include the 2007 World War II documentary, “The War,” the 1994 documentary on America’s favorite past time, “Baseball,” and the 2001 documentary, “JAZZ.”
His latest film about the national parks was filmed over six years in national parks from California to Alaska. The documentary will focus on the people who made it possible, according to PBS.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background — rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. It is a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration – set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable.
I’d suggest heading to the screening to be one of the first people to watch this film. If it’s anything like Burns’ other works, it will surely impress.