Nuisance Bear

Every autumn, hundreds of polar bears head north, passing through the small Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba, which calls itself the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” What is a spectacular natural event for tourists means an increasingly difficult encounter for the animals with a world shaped by humans. NUISANCE BEAR tells this story from the unusual perspective of a polar bear navigating an environment defined by observation, tourism, and control. The film is accompanied by the reflections of an Inuit elder, whose personal experiences and memories offer a deeper perspective on the fragile relationship between humans and nature.

With their compelling documentary, directors Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman challenge the familiar portrayal of wildlife as mere spectacle. They show polar bears not as threats or photo opportunities, but as sentient beings living in a landscape undergoing profound change. A breathtaking cinematic experience and already a strong contender for an Oscar nomination. (KUFF Baden)