It’s -44. The wind is unrelenting. The cold has a bite that cuts through to the bone. Way in the distance you see what appears to be a small caterpillar snaking it’s way on the ice of the Yukon River. Pockets of open water decorate the river. Time passes. The picture becomes clearer. Coming towards you is a tired and weary young musher moving his dog team with determination. He is facing his greatest fear….Open Water. We hear his voice. “I’m doing this for my family. I’m doing this for my country...” “…I just want to make people happy.” 5 days of continuous mushing behind him. 7 more to go…alone. Can Newton Marshall finish? This is the Journey of Jamaican Newton Marshall racing in the last great race. The Iditarod.
Cool Mushings is a verite style 1 hour documentary revealing Newton’s heroic mental and physical journey in the 1,000 mile Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Entrepreneur, dreamer and founder of the Jamaican Dogsled Team Danny Melville has put everything on the line for Newton and needs to see him cross that finish line. Mentor and Three Time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey has spent every waking hour training his close friend. He will race too. But now it’s all up to Newton to make the dream a reality.
By foot, Bush plane and snowmobile Director, DOP and Producer Eppo Eerkes followed Newton’s every move to capture this historic event on film. “This story was everything but predictable.”, say’s Eppo. “I was lucky to be there when Newton was up against some trying moments right in the middle of nowhere. It’s a historic event not only because Newton’s from Jamaica but because he was able to reach people and inspire them in ways no other musher could.” Cool Mushings follows Newton’s journey from his home in Jamaica to Alaska, one of the last great frontiers. Carrying the weight of his mentors, sponsors and fans Newton and his dog team will be put to the greatest challenge yet.
Cool Mushings. A film by Eppo Eerkes.
SUNDOGS
From the sun-kissed beaches and tropical paradise of Jamaica comes a story of second chances. Rescued from the mean streets and animal shelters of Kingston, 12 stray dogs are trained to be the stars of Jamaica’s first dog sled racing team. The crew, spearheaded by pop superstar Jimmy Buffett, brings the unlikely meeting of a traditionally snow-bound sport to the sand and surf.
UnderDog is a gritty "in the moment" feature documentary that centers on a young Jamaican who is taking part in the world's toughest dog sled race, The 1,000 mile Yukon Quest. This special will follow 26-year-old Newton as he confronts killer conditions and the most brutal realities imaginable. This is warfare. Man and Dogs against Nature at her most inhospitable.
Currently available only in Jamaica at Chukka Caribbean Adventures stores
