What makes British Columbia different from the rest of the country is a fascinating subject no matter what form it takes. When explored on film it makes for vivid contrasts and not a few surprises. The films in this series capture a colorful spectrum of life on the west side of the Great Divide, reflecting not only the physical magnitude of the land, vertically and horizontally, but the character of the people who meet its challenge.
This short documentary is a portrait of the town of Stewart, British Columbia. Situated near the tip of the Alaska panhandle, Stewart has slowed down considerably since its heyday during the gold rush of the 1920s. But the Granduc copper mine still runs there, and the town is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery of the province. Old-timers stay as long as they can shovel the snow, but younger miners often leave because of the isolation and boredom. Here, Stewart residents open up about the ups and downs of frontier living.