Native Voices at Gorton presents: alaskan nets

“With ample amounts of compassion and cultural integrity, Alaskan Nets is an engaging, rewarding film.”

Off the coast of Southeast Alaska lies an island — remote, largely hidden from the outside world and home to the Tsimshian natives of Alaska’s last remaining native reserve: Metlakatla. For more than a century, two sacred traditions have defined Metlakatla: fishing and basketball.

Director Jeff Harasimowicz captures the fragile nature of life in this area where most of these boys have grown up in homes where fishing has been everything and it’s likely the future that they face. This is a community where school often comes in second place, kids absolutely willing to be out at 5am on their family’s fishing boats only to make it late to school or not make it at all. As fishing prospects change in the area, these young men face uncertain futures whether fishing or devoting themselves to their studies. Harasimowicz largely focuses the lens on two players in particular – Danny Marsden and DJ King. Both are consumed by both fishing and basketball.

Alaskan Nets is a film that celebrates the human spirit and celebrates the simple wonder of the Tsinshian tribe and the players for the Metlakatla Chiefs.

Director:

Jeff Harasimowicz

Prior to launching his production company, Raised By Wolves, Jeff Harasimowicz served as the Head of Productionat Teton Gravity Research where he produced such films as “unReal” and“Jeremy Jones’ Higher.” Harasimowiczspent his early career working on the campaigns for several high-profile films including back-to-back Best PictureOscar Winners (THE ARTIST and THE KING’S SPEECH), 2011’s Best Documentary Oscar Winner (UNDEFEATED) andDJANGO UNCHAINED. Harasimowicz also worked with Avi Arad–the former CEO and Chairman of Marvel Studioson projects like IRON MAN 2, and with United Talent Agency–a global leader in entertainment talent and literaryrepresentation.