AWARDS

Best Documentary
Sacramento Video & Film Festival, 2004
Gold Remi Award
37th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival, 2004
Certificate of Excellence
Key West IndieFest, 2004
Moondance Calypso Award
Moondance International Film Festival, 2004
Best Documentary
Female Eye Film Festival, 2003
Special Juror Award
Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, 2003
Merit for Conservation Advocacy
26th International Wildlife Film Festival, 2003

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, 2004-5
Mountainfilm World Tour, 2004-5
Wildscreen, 2004
Slamdance, 2004
Artivist Film Festival, 2004

LINKS

21st Paradigm's Blog
http://21paradigm.wordpress.com

To find out which Senators and Representatives to write to about any issue that concerns you, go to
http://www.vote-smart.org

For regularly updated wolf reports -
Ralph Maughan's Wolf Reports
http://www.forwolves.org

SYNOPSIS

Few more contentious environmental issues exist than the reintroduction of wolves in the lower 48 states. In 1995, a wolf reintroduction effort in Idaho generated heated controversy, but this time all the major players, human and animal alike, were captured on film. Showing the intensity of the passions that motivate all sides of the wolf issue, this film lays out an accessible and infuriating portrait of the wolf question, no matter which side you are on.

HOW IT BEGAN

By Vanessa Schulz
While producing the documentary ‘Cull of the Wild: The Truth behind Trapping,’ I was alerted to the fact that wolves were being trapped in close proximity to my home in Idaho. I immediately went to the site, where I was met by agents of "Wildlife Services." This government agency formerly known as "Animal Damage Control" slaughters between four and five million wild animals annually on behalf of cattle and sheep ranchers. 21st Paradigm was prohibited from filming any federal trapping or management activities. Since these were agents supposedly "managing" the public's wildlife on public lands with public tax dollars, I was curious as to why their activities should be censored from the public. It didn't take long to realize this was a separate story begging to be told. The result is ‘Cost of Freedom,’ a shocking discovery of gross exploitation of wildlife by powerful right-wing political factions.

Producer / Director: Vanessa Schulz
Assistant Producer: Christopher Simms
Narrator: Pamela Sue Martin
Writer: Dustin Castleberry
Production Assistant: Donna Simms
Composer: Micheal Clair

US Release Date: 2003
Copyright Date: 2003

REVIEWS

"Articulate, moving, beautiful, poignant, disturbing and revealing."
David Kupfer - An environmental consultant, author and journalist, David has been published in Progressive, Whole Earth Review, Adbusters, Earth First! Journal, Earth Island Journal, Hope, and Talking Leaves

"COST OF FREEDOM is a documentary deserving the widest of audiences, especially where public officials are considering reintroduction of carnivores. The treatment of the wolves by government agents was shocking; even more so were the attitudes of local citizens who would simply like to see the wolves wiped out. ‘Cost of Freedom’ casts a harsh shadow on efforts to delist wolves from the Endangered Species rolls. Clearly, these animals need more protection, not less. Vanessa Schulz is a terrific filmmaker whose work makes us think and question, and ‘Cost of Freedom’ is yet another example of her talent, compassion and courage. Don’t miss it."
John de Graaf – Award-winning filmmaker and Author, President of the Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network.

"I have no doubt that your film will leave a mark on everyone who sees it. Thank you for your courage in making and supporting this film. It takes a lot of conviction and energy, especially in the face of criticism."
Seana Strain, World Tour Coordinator, Banff Mountain Film Festival

"I recently saw "Cost of Freedom" at the Banff Film festival here in Peterborough. I was enthralled! I teach an ecology unit in the grade 10 course and this video is an excellent resource! Thank you for spreading this important message!"
Geoff Bemrose – High School Science Teacher, Peterborough, ON, Canada

"It's not easy for filmmakers and artists who have something controversial to say or who want to make a difference. Unfortunately, it is particularly bad at the moment, which I don't have to tell you because you are on the frontlines. Yours is an extremely noble cause and even though noble causes don't pay the bills they are good for the soul. In the long run it is the noble cause which is remembered."
Ron Riddle, award-winning film composer

"I was astonished at your film Cost of Freedom. It made me feel like rushing up there and running the cattle off the public land, and those ranchers too. We don't need more steak in this country at the expense of our native wildlife (in my opinion). Thank you for making this film."
Suzanne Harle – Executive Director, Green Planet Films

"I saw your movie Cost of Freedom last night at the Banff Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado. While it was extremely painful to watch, I want to thank you for making this film. It makes me angry, and also makes me want to learn more so I can do something to help. I have to say, that if the ranchers who were interviewed in the film had been at the Boulder Theatre last night, it’s likely they would have been lynched. A very powerful film."
Dan Vardamis – Advocacy Coordinator, International Coordinator & IMBA Trail News Editor

"I found Cost of Freedom to be a powerful film. While allowing all voices to be heard, Ms. Schulz certainly speaks strongly for wolf recovery. Our audience was thankful we showed her film. I'd highly recommend it for audiences anywhere."
Barry Snitkin – Director, Siskiyou Environmental Film Festival

"I saw Cost of Freedom last weekend at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Lenox, MA and was roused out of self-inflicted ignorance about what was going on with wolf reintroduction in the West. Films often illicit a life/world of their own that I often find tangential, and even worthless. Yours was superior; and so unexpected to have something taken so seriously and with such integrity amid rock climbing dogs and stealth trampoliners (not that these aren't worth seeing). The context of the Banff festival was perfect – it confounded the effect your film had on viewers. The end of your film was the first time during the whole 2.5 hour event that stillness and silence were allowed to hover, even after it became somewhat uncomfortable. It moved me to think and believe that films like yours can change the world. Thank you."
Jennifer Marlow – Editorial Assistant, Orion Magazine
www.oriononline.org

Boise Weekly, February 2002 - By Cynthia Sewell
Documentary examines wolf reintroduction
In his essay "Thinking Like a Mountain," from "A Sand County Almanac," conservationist Aldo Leopold recounts how he came to understand the crucial role of wolves in ecosystems and the need to restore their populations in the wild. Now, fifty years later, many people, organizations and government agencies are realizing the truth to Leopold’s words and are working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to restore wolves in the West. But, there is a dark side to wolves’ livelihood. Once called Animal Damage Control, now called Wildlife Services, this arm of the federal government kills wildlife. Lots and lots of wildlife – to the tune of over 4 milion birds and mammals last year alone.

Federal and state laws give Wildlife Services their power to shoot, trap and poison any wild creature deemed a nuisance or threat to crops or livestock. The wolves in Idaho and Montana are no exception. Last year Wildlife Services killed 7 of Idaho’s wolves, mainly for livestock depredation.

"Cost of Freedom," A new documentary by Ketchum filmmaker Vanessa Schulz, explores this seemingly incongruous concept of killing wolves while simultaneously trying to replenish their population.

Schulz conceived of "Cost of Freedom" in 1999 while filming a video against trapping entitled "Cull of the Wild" for the Animal Protection Institute. In the course of making that film she learned of Idaho’s wolf reintroduction program. When she discovered that "kill orders" were being issued for some wolves and many other wolves were being trapped or darted to fit with radio collars or relocate, all under a cloak of secrecy on public lands, Schulz knew she found the subject of her next film.

Idaho’s first wolves were released in 1995. Today, approximately 260 wolves call Idaho home – a definite success story. But, according to Schulz her film captures the covert mistreatment of wolf populations in Idaho and Montana under the reintroduction program. In addition to Wildlife Services legally killing wolves, Schulz also explores a rural backlash resulting in wolves being illegally poisoned and shot. Schulz also points out that the Idaho Legislature adopted a resolution calling for the removal of all wolves from the state "by whatever means necessary" – a move that is a slap in the face to the thousands of people working to restore wolves to their natural habitat and the hundreds of thousands of people who want wolves to exist and thrive in the wild.