Skookum Jim and The American Dream

2022 40mMovie

Documentary

This film by Scottish artist Ken Smyth explores the impact of The Klondike Gold Rush on both the indigenous people of Yukon in North West Canada and on the fake-news-inspired, get-rich-quick, American prospectors. It raises issues of racism, cultural imperialism and environmental destruction that remain highly relevant today. The film is based on a poetry sequence by Chrys Salt and a soundtrack by British composer Richard Ingham, and is voiced by Canadian actor Peter Marinker and the poet herself. Production was supported by Creative Scotland.