Finding hetch Hetchy
Client: Restore Hetch Hetchy
Role: Co-directing, Production, Editing
James ‘Q’ Martin has dedicated his career to documenting our incredible natural resources and advocating for their protection, inspired by his fascination with dams from his 5 plus years of work on Rios Libres. His continued fascination with dams led him to Hetch Hetchy Valley, where he teamed up with renowned photographer Chris Burkard, Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Mikey Schaefer, and producer and dear friend Chelsea Walsh to tell the story of San Francisco’s controversial reservoir that covers the valley floor.
The Hetch Hetchy Valley, home to towering and majestic granite walls, has remained elusive in comparison to its sister valley to the north, Yosemite National Park. Through the eyes of veteran Yosemite climber, Timmy O’Neill, and Hetch Hetchy climbing pioneer, Lucho Rivera, we follow them as they discover the valley’s beauty and solitude through its undiscovered walls. The fight to restore Hetch Hetchy valley is greater than ever with advocates like the Hetch Hetchy Foundation working to preserve its natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
