The Chechahcos (1924)
In the National Film Registry
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1h 26m
Shipwrecked, mother separated from baby. Raised by prospectors, daughter seeks past in Alaska.
The Chechahcos, a 1924 silent film by Lewis H. Moomaw, isn't just a traditional adventure story following a group of prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. This independent production was the very first feature film shot entirely on location in Alaska.
This ambitious undertaking presented logistical challenges and a commitment to capturing the film's setting authentically, a departure from the controlled studio environments of Hollywood.
Beyond location shooting, The Chechahcos incorporated the Chinook Jargon term "chechahco" – meaning newcomer – into its title. This use of non-standard language hints at the film's willingness to challenge conventions and embrace a more regional identity.
The Chechahcos may not be overtly abstract or surreal, but its independent spirit, embrace of location shooting, and use of regional language mark it as a forerunner of films that dared to push boundaries and explore new avenues of storytelling.
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