In 1982, Alpine Meadows was the site of the worst avalanche in the resort’s history. A wall of white slid into the resort’s base and parking lot of the ski area, tragically taking the lives of seven people.
“Buried” | Dec. 3-9 | Tahoe Art Haus | Tahoe City
Flash forward to 2021 — Jared Drake and Steven Siig have completed their film “Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche.” The film, which will make its theatrical debut at Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in Tahoe City in December, has already received numerous accolades at film festivals.
Watch the trailer for “Buried”
“We pre-screened at some festivals, which have gone well. We went to Mountainfilm in Telluride, Boulder International Film Festival and Bend Film Festival,” says Drake.
The film won the Audience Choice Award at Mountainfilm, Official Selection at Boulder International Film Festival and Best Documentary Feature at the Bend and Austin film festivals.
It was during a screening of the film that Drake met with a company called Sugar 23, owned by Michael Sugar.
“He saw the film and really responded to it. He’s a huge producer and manager, not a filmmaker, but definitely a tastemaker in the film industry. He said he’d love to help us along with another producer, Devin Hayes, who produced ‘Free Solo,’” says Drake.
“For Siig and me, my directing/producing partner, this movie is very much about our community. We both live in Alpine; you know. We know the people and it’s been about capturing their story properly.” –Jared Drake
After months of working through the final stages of post-production, incorporating the producers’ notes, making some changes and getting additional help with some of the graphic effects and visual effects, Sugar and Hayes helped them strategize the release and distribution of the film.
“They helped with post-production, editing, designing and creating the score, creating footage and sound mix,” he says.
This fall, they had screenings in Park City, Utah, and Crested Butte, Colo.; Savannah, Ga.; and the state of Washington. The official theatrical release was pushed back to December. For Drake and Siig, it’s been a passion to finish this film after working on it for more than four years. They said they deliberately created the film with a lot of heart.
forecaster Jim Plehn and Alpine Meadows ski patrol director Bob Blair. | Lanny Johnson
“For Siig and me, my directing/producing partner, this movie is very much about our community. We both live in Alpine; you know. We know the people and it’s been about capturing their story properly,” Drake says.
The story is based on what the people involved in the tragedy described and accurately captures the event. It focuses on their journeys since the avalanche.
“They’ve recovered and moved on. For us, it’s their story and it belongs to them and the community,” he says. “And we see the effect that has on other communities that have experienced something. To us, this movie has something that can impact a lot of people.”
Drake was moved by some of the cast members who came to the screenings. He says seeing how they digested the event they’ve been wrestling with for 39 years, which defined a large part of their lives, was monumental.
For Drake and Siig, “Buried” is an opportunity to tell a story and help people recognize that avalanches are a real danger. Drake says hopefully the movie is a wake-up call for people and can bring a deeper awareness of avalanche danger.
“Buried” will be shown at Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in Tahoe City from Dec. 3 to 9 with multiple screenings. Siig and Jared will be at most of the 7:30 p.m. screenings for a Q&A, along with some of the main characters. | tahoearthauscinema.com
