"The Lookout" (2012)
Published 2014-02-02
An intimate look inside the solitary, day-to-day working life of Leif Haugen, a fire lookout spending a season scanning the landscape for untamed wildfires on top of a mountain in northwestern Montana. A primitive one-room structure serves as both his home and office, with only a radio to keep him connected to the outside world. Leif's job is to scan the valley floor for any signs of fire activity - one which calls for enduring long stretches of tedium and an eagle's eye and quick response. THE LOOKOUT captures the critical nature of one fire lookout's work as well as the life of quiet, contemplative solitude which accompanies his job. THE LOOKOUT won the Big Sky Award at the 2012 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. It is available for purchase on iTunes through March of 2014.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MONTANA EXPERIENCE:
/ @themontanaexperience
FOLLOW THE MONTANA EXPERIENCE ON FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/themontanaexperience/
About the Filmmaker -
Brian Bolster grew up in Boston, MA and graduated from the film program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. His short documentary films have screened at Slamdance Film Festival, DOC NYC, Florida Film Festival, Camden International Film Festival and BendFilm Festival among others. Brian also holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has worked in several public and private schools in New York City area. In 2013, Brian founded his own production company, Exit 36 Productions, LLC. He currently lives in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City and has two new documentary projects in production.
All Comments (21)
-
Imagine living here and hearing a knock at the door in the middle of the night.
-
Firewatch brought me here.
-
This is my dream job...
-
My dad and him were great college buddies, so this summer my dad took me and my brother to his lookout to spend a night with him! It was awesome
-
I love that this film does justice to the quiet lookout experience with the sound design - no music or anything, just the sounds of his life.
-
My parents spent the summer of 1968 at Thoma Lookout. They had some great stories. My mom was the first female to occupy the lookout.
-
I watch this whenever I'm super stressed and it totally relaxes me. Thank you to those who produced it
-
I watch this video every four or so months, wishing that one day I’ll be able to do something like this.
-
He’s a stone cold sun chaser with coffee upon his lips Meets the morning dew with steam rolling from the tip Of a worn out tin mug that’s seen many morns He’s a early riser, heat finder whose clothes are battered and torn He lives upon a mountain where birds wake him from his rest And northernmost winds brush coldly upon his chest He sings a solemn song to remember that he is blessed To live a life of solitude up on the mountains crest.
-
I am a solitary guy and wouldn't mind being up there alone for the watch. I am also a licenced ham radio operator and I cannot think of any way I would be up there without my radio.
-
I remember watching this and now a game called "Firewatch" is doing this essentially. I am excited.
-
This guy is definitely free from COVID-19
-
If you like this video, treat yourself to the incredible book Fire Season: Field Notes From A Wilderness Lookout.
-
Fantastic! I lived in Montana for three years when I was young, it was a wonderful time. And there is nothing quite like a simple, minimalist lifestyle to bring you closer to nature and a belief in a spiritual existence.
-
seriously considering applying to a job like this, they're everywhere in Alberta, Canada. I think it'd be an excellent way to challenge myself, and my self-motivation.
-
God damn, what a peacefull seeming life..... Paradise for a recluse like me. Solitude is definitely my kind of life. <3 From one Bostonian to another, Cheers Lief. <3
-
Honestly, this is my dream job.
-
The only down side is that you can’t have 1 love one with you all times . I love being alone but i would love to enjoy nature with someone.
-
There will always be fire lookouts. In places where will fires are only a mild concern I can see them being replaced. But when you get major wild fires every year, you can't beat the practicality of real human fire lookouts
-
You lucky, blessed n privileged man, to wake up to, harmonize, feel, and be witness to, what this world/people ALWAYS NEEDED ... MOTHER NATURE. thank u
