About this project
GRINGO TRAILS is about one of the most powerful global industries of our time: tourism, and it starts with backpackers! They are the key to opening the door in developing countries. The film looks at the long term effects of travelers on cultures, economies, and environments worldwide—through their most important souvenirs… their stories.
GRINGO TRAILS follows travelers and locals in locations within Thailand, Bolivia, and Mali- looking at all sides of the cultural encounter. It also looks at the complicated relationships that can arise when host countries are looking for economic opportunities and travelers are seeking authentic experiences.
The documentary is now at a critical stage in funding for our FINAL SHOOT on the film: we need YOUR SUPPORT to return to Bolivia in July and August, where we first filmed in 2000 and 2002 (the earlier footage from all locations is now used as archival to show the changes over time!). Our featured story from Bolivia forms a counterpoint to the current situation faced at Haad Rin beach on Koh Pha-Ngan island in Thailand, shown in the trailer. I'm exploring the topic as a former backpacker and anthropologist whose Ph.D. and forthcoming book focuses on backpackers in Bolivia!
We will film in the Salt Desert of Bolivia, the town of Rurrenabaque and at the Chalalan Ecotourism lodge - tourism in the latter two of these locations traced back to the influence of a backpacker's published account in the mid-1980s (Yossi Ghinsberg's "Lost in the Jungle"-- recently interviewed, he will also be featured in GRINGO TRAILS). Ecotourism pioneer Costas Christ (National Geographic Adventure) and travel writer Pico Iyer are also featured in the film.
Chalalan is managed and owned entirely by the indigenous Quechua-Tacana community of San José de Uchupiamonas. We’ll also be filming at another Tacana ecolodge at San Miguel del Bala, SO ALL PROCEEDS for our room, board, and tours while filming there GO DIRECTLY TO THESE COMMUNITIES - that's OVER 1/3 of the total amount we're requesting!
Your support also aids them in the continued protection of the wildlife-rich Madidi national park. The remaining funds donated cover flights (r/t to Bolivia, r/t to Amazon gateway, ground transportation from the Amazon to the Salt Desert, additional car hire and tour for Salt desert, accommodation, and meals for 2 people!). WE ARE REQUESTING THE MINIMUM we need for this shoot!
ANY SURPLUS ON TOP OF THIS GOAL WILL GO DIRECTLY to much needed POST-PRODUCTION editing costs upon return to FINISH THE FILM THIS FALL!
For this campaign, We THANK FRIENDS FOR THEIR DONATIONS for the pledge rewards—check ‘em out- they're great!! Now we really need YOUR HELP to make this shoot happen and to finish a film that is more relevant than ever before!!
THANK YOU !!!
www.gringotrails.com
FAQ
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97
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$5,958
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 11, 2010.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
My HEARTFELT THANK YOU and UPDATES on the film emailed from BOLIVIA!!!
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of GRINGO TRAILS as soon as it's released! Updates on the film emailed from BOLIVIA!!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
DVD: Limited edition DVD signed by the filmmakers as soon as the film is released + official TRAVEL TOTE BAG with the cool new GRINGO TRAILS logo (see gringotrails website)
Pledge $55 or more Pledge $55 or more
Gringo Trails DIGITAL DOWNLOAD +TOTE BAG + CD of THE MOTH'S "Innocents Abroad: Strangers in a Strange Land" travel stories night!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Gringo Trails DIG. DOWNLOAD+TOTE BAG+a signed book by Kathy Rich: Dreaming in HIndi: Awake in Another Language, set in India
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Gringo Trails DIG. DOWNLOAD+TOTE BAG+a signed book by Judith Stone: When She was White: The True Story of a Family Divided by Race, set in South Africa
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Gringo Trails DIG. DOWNLOAD+TOTE BAG+a signed book by anthropologist Michael Taussig of the classic: The Devil and Commodity Fetishism in South America (1980), set in Colombia and Bolivia
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
DVD+TOTE BAG+PRIVATE TOUR: 'travel' in the famous destination of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, our home town. I'll lead you on a tour of the various cultures of Williamsburg, including the 'culture' of artists!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
DVD+TOTE + PRIVATE TOUR + DINNER for you and/or group to Williamsburg, Brooklyn (see above, or other neighborhood decided in consulation). End in a Thai dinner together and we'll all all swap travel stories! If not near New York, another option will be offered!
Pledge $450 or more Pledge $450 or more
DVD+TOTE+TOUR + DINNER+ invitation to private rough cut screening to give feedback on the film before it's released, and "patron" credit in film!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
DVD+TOTE+TOUR+DINNER+"patron" credit in the film AND original ARTWORK by amazing artist CHRISTY RUPP, just back from the Amazon, herself! (see her website: christyrupp)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
DVD+TOTE+TOUR+ DINNER + FEEDBACK SCREENING+ an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT !!
Pledge $1,200 or more Pledge $1,200 or more
CHECK IT OUT!!! DVD+TOTE+TOUR+ DINNER + FEEDBACK SCREENING+ an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT !! BIG SPENDERS NEW REWARD: PAMPER Yourself and be a responsible tourist at the same time with this THIS AMAZING TIME IN COSTA RICA!!!! 2 complimentary nights good to redeem for 1 year at El Silencio Lodge & Spa with a SUITE, double occupancy with a guided hike (meals not included). SEE WEBSITE: elsilenciolodge.com. Blackout dates: December 20th 2010- Jan 2nd 2011 & 2012, flights not included)
Pledge $1,200 or more Pledge $1,200 or more
CHECK IT OUT!!! DVD+TOTE+TOUR+ DINNER + FEEDBACK SCREENING+ an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT !! BIG SPENDERS NEW REWARD: PAMPER Yourself and be a responsible tourist at the same time with this THIS AMAZING TIME IN COSTA RICA!!!! 3 complimentary nights good to redeem for 1 year at Hotel Punta Islita, double occupancy with a guided cultural tour, breakfast included. SEE WEBSITE: hotelpuntaislita.com. Blackout dates: December 20th 2010- Jan 2nd 2011 & 2012, flights not included)
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
WOW WE THANK YOU: You'll get everything in $1000 level, PLUS we'll host a screening of the film in your own home for you and your family/friends (contiguous United States) upon release. Interested in tax deductible donations? You can make them through our fiscal sponsor, WOMEN MAKE MOVIES. Or if you'd like to hop on-board as an executive producer? Please contact us!!!
Project By
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Pegi Vail is an anthropologist and the Associate Director at the Center for Media, Culture and History at NYU. She also teaches on film and culture at Columbia University, on tourism at NYU, and as guest lecturer for National Geographic and Smithsonian travel study tours.
As a curator, she works with NYC arts and cultural institutions as well as through organizations such as The Moth, a storytelling collective she was a founding boardmember for. She currently serves on the Moth's General Council and Curatorial Committee.
Vail has previously made award-winning short documentaries. Gringo Trails is her first feature-length film.
