Musicwood

Musicwood is a documentary film from 2012 that explores the conflict between the logging industry and environmentalists over the fate of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The film features three prominent musicians, indie rock band The Antlers, Dave Berryman, who is the CEO of Gibson Guitars, and British folk rock band Turin Brakes.

The Tongass National Forest is home to some of the largest and oldest trees in North America, and it has been a battleground for environmentalists and the logging industry for decades. The film follows the musicians as they travel to the forest to participate in the Musicwood Coalition, an organization that brings together guitar makers, musicians, and environmentalists to find a solution that can both protect the forest and sustain the guitar industry.

The film starts with the musicians arriving in Juneau, Alaska, where they meet up with the other members of the Musicwood Coalition. They are then taken on a helicopter ride to the Tongass National Forest, and the aerial shots of the forest are simply breathtaking. The musicians are immediately struck by the beauty and magnificence of the forest.

Throughout the film, we get to see the musicians as they work with the environmentalists and the guitar makers to find a solution to the problem. The guitar makers need a steady supply of high-quality wood to make their instruments, and the environmentalists want to protect the forest and its wildlife. The musicians serve as a bridge between the two groups, using their unique perspectives to bring everyone together.

We see the musicians jamming with local musicians, discussing the impact of logging on the environment and the guitar industry, and visiting a sawmill where the wood for their instruments is cut. The film also shows the musicians testing different types of wood to see which ones are best for making guitars.

As the film progresses, we see the Musicwood Coalition start to make progress. They meet with representatives of the logging industry, and they come up with a proposal that would protect a large part of the Tongass National Forest while allowing the guitar makers to continue to access the wood they need. The proposal is presented to the major logging companies, but they are hesitant to embrace it.

The tension in the film builds as the deadline for the proposal draws near. We see the musicians meeting with politicians and other influential people to try to gain support for their cause. We also see them continuing to speak out about the importance of protecting the forest and its wildlife.

The climax of the film sees the musicians and the other members of the Musicwood Coalition attending a meeting with representatives of the logging industry. The tension in the room is palpable, and it seems like the two sides might never come to an agreement. But in the end, something amazing happens, and the two sides find common ground.

Musicwood is a powerful documentary that shows the power of collaboration and compromise. The film is beautifully shot, and the music provided by The Antlers and Turin Brakes adds an extra layer of emotion to the story. Overall, Musicwood is a must-watch film for anyone who cares about the environment, the music industry, or the power of people coming together to make a difference.