The Last Stop: Documentary/Historical Elkhorn, Montana
This video is unrestricted and can be shared to any site.
Just after 2000, John Bonan moved from Los Angeles, California to Elkhorn, Montana, a well know Ghost Town in the state near Boulder, Montana. In Elkhorn, John moved into his family cabin that his grandfather, a miner from Italy, built in 1892. This became his LAST STOP in his life...and this video shows a glimpse of his life until he passed away in 2021. He had left the option open to "be swept off his feet by someone who wants to take him back to Malibu, California." But it never happened. He also said, with a smile, that he planned to live in the town as a ghost when he died.
At one point the log cabin remained unoccupied for nearly 50 years and fell into disrepair. In the 1970s the Bonan family added on to the original structure and remodeled it so it could be occupied. His brother lived there for a period of time and then John moved in and became sort of a self-appointed caretaker of the town. During John's tine in the cabin it was rustic, had no running water, was heated with wood stoves, had an old time outhouse, and was decorated with family memorabilia that was gathered over the decades bye family members. This production focused on John's life in a Ghost Town as a permanent resident, the cabin, the challenges he faced, and his interaction with tourists that came to see the Montana Ghost Town. He loved the area and life he led. John tells about his experiences in the town and even mentions a historical gunfight that occured in the front of Fraternity Hall. The ghosts of the gunfight may remain there today?
John Bonan passed away June 19, 2021 while making a second film but it was never finished. If one listens carefully, he too, may be able to be found somewhere in the town he loved.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
This film was made by Doug Chester, Distant Art Productions in Cornville, Arizona. Doug grew up in Montana, has a Film and Television Degree from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and an Education Degree from Radford University, Radford, Virginia. He first visited the town when he and his brother Jim took a road trip in the 1960's to explore as many Montana Ghost Towns as they could get to in fourteen days. Over the years, Doug has a lot special memories of the town and when he met John in 2006 the two of them became instant friends.
Doug had a career in teaching, communications, and media production, he is retired with his wife in the Sedona, Arizona area. He resumed making flim/television productions as a hobby and produces a number of videos/films each year as a “one person production company.” His work can be seen on You Tube at: Doug Chester Distant Art Videos.
In addition to Film Production, Doug creates original art (Mystic Creations) that is shown and sells in multiple galleries in northern Arizona, and he has a book titled "Play your Marbles Carefully" coming out in the future.
For production information contact Doug Chester at Distantart555@gmail.com
Have an idea for a video? Contact Doug. Distantart555@gmail.com
The Elkhorn Reduction Works Photo, was provided by the Montana Historical Society Research Center Photographic Archives, Helena, Montana.
Film Festival Awards: Madrid Film Festival, Simi Finalist-Best Director and Best Sound Track 2021, and Honorable Mention 2021 UK Seasonal Short Film Festival.
29 сен 2024
