A filmmaker hailing from Campbell River is making her international film debut at the Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival on Oct. 5.
Veteran adventure rider Suzanne Jolly unveils A Wilder Way, a documentary that captures her dream ride to a secluded, boat-access-only area off British Columbia’s coast.
“I started exploring the feasibility of a boat-assisted adventure ride over a decade ago,” said Jolly, who has relearned to ride after experiencing a mild traumatic brain injury. “When I suddenly lost my ability to ride – and do a lot of other things – I set the dream aside. I had to focus on the abilities I could regain – riding wasn’t even on my radar for quite a few years.”
As time passed, Jolly relearned to ride. While filming with Marine Link Tours owner, Guy Adams, during her first documentary series, she said she casually mentioned her dream trip. Adams offered his crew and a landing craft to use and encouraged her to reconsider.
Jolly said she decided to make the trip into a film, garnering large motorcycle company sponsors such as Yamaha Canada, to help support the production costs. She also recruited three female riders from across B.C. and Alberta who had never ridden together to join the adventure.
The film combines Jolly’s obsession with adventure riding, camping in the wilderness, and enthusiasm for filmmaking – three passions that don’t often come together when she sits behind the desk at her Campbell River company, Jolly Good Multimedia. The one-year-old company produces digital marketing and communications and corporate video projects for organizations and businesses on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
“While I’m excited for us to premiere it in Toronto, I can’t wait to have the opportunity to show it in Campbell River because it really was created in our community,” Jolly said. “From the beautiful footage by Stan Novotny, amazing editing by Dan Peruzzo, storyline and concept development help from Ross Bodenmann, logo design by Benjamin Thompson, animations by Grady Robertson, audio work by Douglas MacDonald — all of us live and work here in Campbell River. That’s a very special thing, not to outsource the film production work to other communities.”
Jolly said she is thrilled to bring the film home to Campbell River on Feb. 11, when she returns to the Campbell River Festival of Film next year. Jolly showcased her first documentary series, Where the Wind Meets the Tide, at the festival in 2022. She now volunteers on the festival’s coordinating committee.
“I want to thank the community for their support,” Jolly said. “This film wouldn’t be possible without Marine Link Tours, Brown’s Bay Resort, and of course, Beach Fire Brewing who supplied the beer!”
