A father’s climate story 40 years in the making.
The summer of 1982 Chip Freund spent working alongside the Blue Glacier left an indelible mark on his heart, mind, and soul.
This project was done in partnership with Chip Freund Photography.
Trip Length
5 Days
Location
Olympic National Park
Date Completed
July 2023
Logline
The summer Chip Freund spent working alongside the Blue Glacier left an indelible mark on his heart, mind, and soul. He had longed to return to that special place before it is changed forever, and the fortieth anniversary of his time on the mountain provides the perfect opportunity.
Unfortunately, the topic of climate change has become highly politicized. Misinformation and tribal politics have created an environment where civil fact-based discussions appear no longer possible. It is his hope that by sharing his story and images he can open a discussion with those around him. Moving past lectures and rhetoric to meaningful dialog about our world and the effects we have upon it.
“Despite the heartbreaking loss of ice the project documents, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude to the many supporters that helped bring the project to life. Gratitude for the opportunity to return to such a beautiful wild place, and gratitude to have shared a place so special to me with my family.
– Chip Freund, Landscape Photographer
By sharing personal climate change stories, like mine, I am hopeful that we can bridge the divide in our society and begin to work together to address the causes and impacts to our changing planet.”
Director’s Statement
As someone who comes from an environmental education background, I have learned how powerful it is to connect yourself and others with the natural world. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we find our connection with nature and find our reason to fight for it. Climate change is something that will affect all of us but not all in the same way. I was inspired to make this film because of the connection I have with my dad, Chip Freund, the protagonist in this film. 40 years ago he spent a summer in Olympic National Park doing trail work on and near the Blue Glacier. He is where I got a lot of my passion to pursue a career in science and the outdoors.
After I finished my first documentary film, Connected By Water, Chip was inspired to tell his own climate change story. At first, he didn’t know if he even had a story to tell but then realized that he had these film photos from his time in Olympic National Park back in 1982. With all the talk of melting glaciers around the world, and his work as a professional landscape photographer, he now had a story he could tell and I wanted to share his journey through this film. As someone without a traditional filmmaking background or education, every step along this path has been a learning experience and I hope that Chip’s story shines through.
Director/Filmmaker
Will Freund
Executive Producer
Chip Freund
Audio Engineer
David Freund
Will Freund
Director, Producer, Filmmaker
Will Freund is an educator, storyteller, and environmentalist born in Cleveland, Ohio, but has lived in the southeastern US for most of his life. After graduating from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Biology, he went off and worked in a variety of seasonal/temporary conservation and environmental education work that brought him all along the coast from Sarasota, FL to Corolla, NC, and everywhere in between.
He is first and foremost a storyteller with a passion for education, the environment, and making something from nothing. His driving passion is to lower the threshold to entry for all creative and educational endeavors.
Where We Went
Trailer
Contact
Will Freund
will.freund13@gmail.com
Will Freund 