The Long River Home is a 20 minute documentary film about overcoming the residual impacts of war through kayaking with a team. Aaron Howell and Russell Davies are combat veterans who were injured in war and now come together for another mission as they guide blind Navy veteran, Lonnie Bedwell, on his third trip through the Grand Canyon. Over a 14 day river trip they battle more than 80 powerful rapids, screaming directions to Lonnie the whole way. Always looming downstream roars Lava Falls, the largest rapid of them all. Throughout the journey they remember their past experiences and learn that negotiating the rapids of life is as simple as forming a team, kicking out in the current, and finding a line through the chaos.
This film was part of VIMFF 2020, VIMFF 2020 Tour and is no longer available for viewing.
In 2004, Seth served one year in Iraq with the 1-163rd Infantry, a Montana ARNG unit. On one mission an Associated Press photojournalist snapped photos of his platoon clearing houses. Motivated by the photojournalist’s mission, Seth returned home where he studied Journalism at the University of Montana with intent to return to conflict zones. In school he found video editing and his passion pivoted to documentary based outdoor stories. In the summers Seth worked as a river guide on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon and kayaked in his off time. After graduation he started a video production business, Big Cedar Media, with intent to tell documentary stories. As a veteran storyteller he has focused on post 9/11 veterans overcoming combat injuries through outdoor adventure. Some of these stories take place around rivers and consist of kayaking.
