Furthest from the Wild is an emotive and touching documentary exploring the lives of five different individuals who devote their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals in their own unique way. The movie, released in 2014, offers an intimate portrait of these dedicated people, who are willing to go to great lengths to bring animals from the brink of death back to life.
Directed by Alex Tello, Furthest from the Wild kicks off by introducing us to the gentle hero Jonathan Kraft. Jonathan is a Pennsylvania native who has dedicated his life to rescuing the majestic bald eagles; the national bird of America. He goes out of his way to save the eagles, which are often injured because of pollution or human-related injuries. Jonathan is as focused on the wellbeing of these eagles as one could ever be. He spends numerous sleepless nights nursing the injured birds back to health and helps them to fly again. Kraft's relationship with the birds is so unique that he can read their emotions, and they seem to understand him too. Jonathan remains the shining star throughout the movie.
Tina R. Matejek, another character in Furthest from the Wild, runs a wildlife rehabilitation center. Her mission is to help injured raccoons and other small animals get back on their feet - or paws. Matejek founds her approach on compassion and a deep understanding of the wildlife's needs. We see her travelling far and wide to rescue injured animals, nursing them back to health, and releasing them into the wilderness again.
Furthest from the Wild provides tragic yet genuine insight into the life of Steve Kroschel. Steve is a filmmaker and author who runs a nature sanctuary in Alaska. He preferred the quiet and serene life with animals for company until he lost his wife. Kroschel lost his interest in life, couldn't click the camera, and his love for wildlife dwindled. But after some self-searching, he got back to his love for animals, went back to his sanctuary, and began making wildlife documentaries again. Through his life story, we learn the importance of dealing with depression and finding light in the darkest of times.
Fran Becker, who specializes in rescuing orphaned deer and fawns, is another character in this heartwarming documentary. She is depicted as someone who goes the extra mile to ensure that the animals receive the love and support they need. Her love for the animals she rescues is evident in every scene; Fran makes clear the message that humans and animals can indeed share a close bond.
The final character in Furthest from the Wild is Jim VanSant. Jim is not just an animal rescuer; he is a man on a mission - to educate people about the sophisticated social and emotional lives that animals lead. Through his work at Wild Ins Adventures, VanSant sets out to expose the myths that animals are soulless beings that don't feel pain or have emotions. He wants to help people understand that we are simply all animals sharing the same planet, and none of us are more or less important than the other.
In summary, Furthest from the Wild is a captivating movie about individuals who are willing to go the extra mile for their goal of rehabilitating and saving animals in need. From Jonathan Kraft to Jim VanSant, we are shown the incredible bond shared by these animals and their carers. The documentary takes viewers on an arousing and emotional journey, giving us a glimpse into the lives of those who are working tirelessly and selflessly to ensure that animals are given the respect and protection they deserve.
Furthest from the Wild is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.
