Documentary About the Deadly Avalanche on Alpine Meadows Coming to Northern California Theaters
On March 31, 1982, a large avalanche hit Alpine Meadows, burying the main lodge and parking lot in 20 feet of snow and killing 7 people. Forty years after the avalanche, a new documentary is telling the story of survival and tragedy on Alpine Meadows, and it will soon be featured in Northern California theaters.
Buried, created by filmmakers Jared Drake & Steven Siig, tells the harrowing story of the avalanche, including exclusive interviews with people who experienced the event. The film has been featured at select theaters and showings, including at Alpine Meadows on the 40th anniversary of the event. Recently, Greenwich Entertainment acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the documentary and will be releasing it into NorCal theaters on September 23. A 45-day exclusive theatrical window will be followed by a video on demand release.
The film will release in San Francisco and throughout Northern California, but exact theater locations have not yet been revealed. It has already received plenty of accolades, winning the audience choice award at Telluride’s Mountainfilm, the jury award at the Austin Film Festival and best documentary at the Bend Film Festival. The film has also been selected to play at film festivals in Banff, Whistler, Boulder, Lake Placid and Newport Beach.
“Essential viewing for skiers, but all audiences – skiers and non-skiers alike – will find Buried a riveting account of a natural disaster, not only in the details of the avalanche itself and subsequent rescue efforts, but on how the disaster affected people in the years following and became a dividing line in time for the survivors and their community,” said Ed Arentz, Greenwich co-president.
I was lucky enough to gain a sneak peek of the film and I can tell you, it’s one heck of a ride. Even if you know the story in detail (like I did), the film brought out emotions I wasn’t expecting. Trust me, whether you’re a skier or not, you’ll be on the edge of your seat during this gripping documentary.
Earlier this year, I welcomed Drake and Siig on the Talking NorCal Podcast to discuss the film. Here is our interview:
