Experiencing Interruptions?

One Drift and We All Go Home

Kenai, Alaska. July 1998. Commercial fishing has been closed for nine days. Dozens of workers have lost nearly an entire year's income waiting for regulations to lift... all while a nearby tourist spot teems with joyfully unregulated sportfishermen.

  • Thom Hilton
    Director
    Swan Song, Synonymous With
  • Tom Hilton
    Producer
  • Adam Baran
    Producer
    Trade Center, Circus of Books
  • Roman Chimienti
    Sound Editing and Mixing
    Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Historical, Comedy, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 13 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 18, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    3,010 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    hi-8, Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Oxford Film Festival
    Oxford, Mississippi
    United States
    March 23, 2022
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Kansas City FilmFest International
    Kansas City, Missouri
    United States
    April 27, 2022
    Missouri Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Mammoth Lakes Film Festival
    Mammoth Lakes, California
    United States
    May 25, 2022
    West Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • West Sound Film Festival
    Bremerton, Washington
    United States
    August 6, 2022
    Washington State Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Skyline Indie Film Festival
    Winchester, Virginia
    United States
    September 8, 2022
    Virginia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Seattle Film Summit
    Seattle, Washington
    United States
    September 9, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Local Sightings Film Festival
    Seattle, Washington
    United States
    September 17, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Tacoma Film Festival
    Tacoma, Washington
    United States
    October 8, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Astoria International Film Festival
    Astoria, Oregon
    United States
    October 21, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Thom Hilton

The original director of this piece is "Timebomb" Tom Hilton, "the smooth-talking encyclopedia of the lower Columbia River." The adopted son of Finnish immigrants, Tom was a gillnetter in Cook Inlet for 36 years. He currently owns and operates Hanthorn Crab Co. in Astoria, OR, where he is also a City Council member. His readings at FisherPoets Gathering in Astoria have been a staple of the festival for over a decade.

His son, Thom Hilton, is the editor and second director of this piece. As an actor, he recently appeared in Todd Stephens' 'Swan Song,' opposite Udo Kier. As a writer and photographer, he has been commissioned by Portland Center Stage and Portland Monthly. As a filmmaker, he made his debut in 2021 with the short fictional documentary 'Synonymous With,' an award-winning selection of numerous international film festivals.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The majority of the film is made up of interviews recorded on hi-8 tapes in 1998, with my dad always behind the camera. Tom was interested in depicting the personalities at the fish camp and captures this gigantic ensemble's wry humor and hidden melancholy beautifully. The footage has a simple but powerful arc that evokes films like 'Nashville,' 'CODA,' and 'Nomadland,' filled with moments of heart and simmering with the devastating unpredictability of gig work. - Thom Hilton