Movie Review—”Wild Life”

Intriguing how heroes in every era emerge to meet the particular needs of the time: Harriet Tubman and Wilbur Wilberforce to combat slavery, Susan B. Anthony to secure women’s vote or M.L. King to press for black civil rights, Rachel Carson to speak for the environment. The list could go on, but extraordinary people seem to arise in sync with the specific demands of the situation and a company of anonymous others: artists, scientists, political activists, theologians, writers, musicians and engineers.

For our times, when the destruction of the planet seems imminent, Kris and Doug Tompkins worked for 30 years to preserve wilderness and protect biodiversity. Their story is told in “Wild Life,” a National Geographic film which will appear on their t.v. channel June 16, is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ and showing in a few theaters.

At first it seems unlikely that a newlywed, middle-aged couple who had amassed a fortune through North Face, Esprit, and Patagonia clothing lines wouldn’t want to luxuriate in the beach homes, yachts, cars, penthouses, designer jewels and clothing that seem to appeal to many millionaires. Instead, they created Tomkins Conservation which bought and “protected approximately 14.8 million acres of parklands in Chile and Argentina through the creation or expansion of 15 national parks in those countries, in addition to two marine protected areas of 30 million acres.”

Their initial efforts met with criticism and resistance from the Chilean government. Many people were skeptical of multi-millionaire Doug’s efforts to buy huge swathes of their country: what was his ulterior motive?  Chile had a mining-based economy—why not simply continue reaping its profits? Furthermore, the US had supported the oppressive Pinochet regime: was this prelude to another dictator? As a Chilean senator who was once an ardent foe admits later, “we treated them very badly. 98% of people would’ve just gone home.”

Knowing the insurmountable odds the Tompkins faced makes their largest private land donation in history even more spectacular. Add in the stupendous scenery of Patagonia, and the viewer can’t help root for their efforts. A terrible tragedy finally becomes the turning point: when Doug is killed in a kayaking disaster and buried in Chile, native people start appreciating the gift. Kris’ efforts to carry on the work despite her heartbreak come to a dramatic climax at a ceremony where deeds for the parks are signed and she embraces Michelle Bachelet, Chilean president. Almost as if two women have finally pulled it off!

The nonprofit organization Kris and Doug cofounded, Tompkins Conservation continues to bring back endangered species through rewilding, and to help communities thrive through nature-based tourism. Patagonia outdoor clothing line, founded by Yvon Chouinard, Doug’s best friend, works hard to ensure the sustainability of their products and donate some of their profits to preserving wilderness. The documentary offers extensive interviews and footage of these guys who began as skiing, climbing and surfing buddies, had a tremendous knack for business, yet manage to preserve a certain flannel-shirt naturalness. Kris Tomkins herself is luminous; she recorded long, rigorous, often frustrating efforts in her diary and she shines when climbing a peak Doug named for her, symbol of a larger success. The film has a pervasive tone of joy, filled with exhilaration that some people really are trying to save our beautiful, threatened blue-green planet.