28 May Round Up: Reels: Among the Best in the West

Montana Backcountry Discovery Route

The Montana Backcountry Discovery Route documentary highlights the completion of the nonprofit Backcountry Discovery Routes’ (BDR) 23rd off-highway motorcycle route, which is the final portion of the Western BDR system, showcasing the immense beauty of Montana. Canvassing nearly 900 trail miles and 13 mountain ranges, the film documents the grandeur of the landscape and the collaboration necessary to develop the route. BDR welcomes riders of all levels from across the country to experience the one-of-a-kind trail and connect with Montana.

The Montana Backcountry Discovery Route is available at youtube.com/RideBDR.

Sage Wisdom West

Emmy-winning outdoor journalist Kris Millgate hit the road in her Toyota Tundra during the summer of 2024 to document greater sage grouse across the high deserts of the American West. Millgate spent time in the remarkable — yet shrinking — sage steppe that these birds call home to create her newest film, Sage Wisdom West. With help from different tribes, ranchers, scientists, and activists alike, this film aims to bring awareness to the trials these birds face in hopes of preventing the extinction of North America’s largest grouse.

Production of Sage Wisdom West started on a minus-12-degree morning with crusty snow on the ground and a fully insulated woman learning to follow the erratic flight patterns of wild birds in high desert. | TIGHT LINE MEDIA

Following its premiere in April and subsequent tour across Idaho and Wyoming, Sage Wisdom West will be available online at sagewisdomwest.com starting June 5.

Bring Them Home / Aiskótáhkapiyaaya

A tale of resilience and hope, Bring Them Home / Aiskótáhkapiyaaya highlights the efforts of a small group of Blackfoot as they try to return wild bison to their land over 150 years after the animal’s near extinction. The film follows those who have given everything fighting for their identity, culture, and spirituality as they navigate conflicts with cattle ranchers, internal politics, and a history of colonialism to try to bring the buffalo back to its historic homeland.

THUNDERHEART FILMS

Bring Them Home is now available on Apple TV, Prime Video, and PBS.