In the deep woods of the Pacific Northwest, an elusive creature roams, or so some would have you believe. Whether they think it’s an old Salish legend, a supernatural being, or a yet-to-be-discovered large primate, these guys know what they saw. And they’ve been consumed by a quest to prove what they saw is real. Through the life and experiences of John Green, we’re given a surprisingly intimate portrait of Bigfoot fanaticism never before explored in the Bigfoot documentary subgenre. We follow John and his ragtag group of Bigfoot fanatics through several years as they attempt to prove the existence of the Northwest’s most infamous primate.
Hunting Bigfoot gets a lot of mixed reviews, and I think that’s because it’s not what people who typically watch Bigfoot docs are looking for: there’s plenty of skepticism to be had here. And for me, personally, that was its biggest strength: its openness and honesty. It never tells you what to believe, never misconstrues belief for evidence, and presents the evidence these folks give as it is given. For its sober and unbiased view of Bigfoot’s reality and willingness to accept skepticism, it gets a gold star. Hunting Bigfoot’s focus, as well, is on John Green as opposed to just the idea of Bigfoot. It’s about his belief and how he might have ended up believing as he does.
We learn about his past alcoholism and his relapses from his family. They’re of the opinion that he’s just seeking sympathy like he used to when he was deep in the bottle, and some expert voices lend credence to the psychological mechanisms of addiction, connecting them to Bigfoot fanaticism. Hunting Bigfoot doesn’t cast judgment or assume everyone who claims a sighting is an addict, simply suggesting that the feeling of belonging to this strange little community often gives participants the same feeling as going to the bar. It can easily replace the substance-use-based camaraderie that recovery forces addicts to abandon.
This and so many other aspects of psychology are brought to light in the context of Bigfoot searching, especially at its most compulsive. It can help viewers understand what someone in their life might be going through or simply serve as a fascinating personal documentary to watch for an evening’s entertainment. Those in charge of college collections may want to pick up a copy for the psychology or sociology department. As a skeptical person who loves to learn about beings and events in the realm of “high strangeness,” I was particularly enthralled with Hunting Bigfoot. It’s so hard to find titles that I don’t have to cringe through when indulging my desire for real-world weirdness, and this one is a certified gem. Highly Recommended.
Is Hunting Bigfoot a good choice for library film clubs and discussion groups?
Hunting Bigfoot has plenty to offer library film clubs because viewers don’t need to agree about whether Bigfoot exists to have a lively discussion afterward. The documentary raises questions about belief, skepticism, evidence, obsession, and the communities that develop around unusual interests. Groups could discuss whether the filmmakers treat John Green fairly, what separates personal experience from convincing evidence, and why the search for Bigfoot becomes so meaningful to the people involved.
The film could be especially fun for public libraries planning programming around cryptids, folklore, paranormal topics, or unexplained phenomena. Its relatively skeptical approach also makes it accessible to mixed groups of believers and nonbelievers rather than limiting its appeal to dedicated Bigfoot enthusiasts.
What discussion questions can libraries use with Hunting Bigfoot?
Library film clubs, college classes, and community discussion groups can use Hunting Bigfoot to explore the psychology behind belief and the social benefits people receive from belonging to unconventional communities. The documentary’s treatment of John Green’s experiences with alcoholism and recovery also opens a more complicated discussion about addiction, compulsive behavior, identity, and the ways people seek connection after leaving substance-centered social environments.
Discussion questions might include: What makes someone accept or reject evidence of an extraordinary claim? Does the documentary ultimately portray Bigfoot searching as a healthy community, an obsession, or something in between? How does John’s history influence the way his family interprets his behavior? And does understanding why someone believes something matter even if we ultimately conclude that the belief itself isn’t supported by evidence?
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