ALPINE – The world premiere of the documentary film Bravo Y Grande will screen at 2pm on Saturday, June 22 at the Rangra Theater in Alpine. Narrated by Texas troubadour Butch Hancock, the film documents a 2018 expedition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the 40th anniversary of the designation of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.
Join a group of river guides, scientists, locals and NPS personnel as they travel 83 miles along the US/Mexico border through the Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande, one of the most remote sections of river in the US. The filmmaker Carl Crum and participants featured in the film will be in attendance for a Q&A, and a reception will follow at the Ritchey Wine Saloon and Beer Garden.
“The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River may well be the least-known national park unit in the Lower 48. Few people will ever visit, as it’s incredibly remote, lacking infrastructure, and help is awfully far away. But that’s also what makes it amazing. The great thing about this film is it offers the intrepid armchair adventurer, as well as the skilled wilderness river rat, with the next best thing to being on the Rio itself,” said Big Bend National Park/Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River Superintendent and trip participant Bob Krumenaker.
Bravo Y Grande introduces viewers to the beauty, serenity and solitude of the river, the richness of its riparian and aquatic habitats and the threat posed by invasive species and habitat loss, its geologic and human history, and safety and minimum impact practices for river users.
“This film was the culmination of a lot of work by many people both on-screen and behind the scenes,” said Crum. “The challenges in documenting the Lower Canyons on film are many. We captured 3,400 shots over seven days without electricity, through rapids and the harsh extremes of remote West Texas. It’s a journey that only a few hundred people experience each year. We are excited to bring our experience of the Lower Canyons to a larger audience. It’s an amazing trip!”
Bravo Y Grande was created by Texas filmmaker Carl Crum and features local music recorded by Ted Arbogast at Studio Butte Recording. The film was produced by Brazos Film & Video and the Big Bend Natural History Association in cooperation with the NPS and was made possible by a funding award from the National Park Service and Outdoor Foundation, as well as in-kind donations from Brazos Film & Video, Big Bend River Tours, Desert Sports, and Far Flung Outdoor Center. World Premiere made possible by the Rangra Theater.
Advance tickets are available for $15 at www.bigbendbookstore.orgor 432-477-2236.