By Tom Smith
This Christmas I received a DVD titled �Behind the Chutes � A story of professional bareback riders�. The feature length film is made by my friend, Colorado Independent film maker, Ann Lukacs. The project which took over six years to complete included a lot of hard work, sweat and tears. I am sure Ann experienced hours of sleepy driving, plenty of greasy fast food and more than her share of sleepless nights spent in cheap motels. The film, which has been called �the most comprehensive rodeo documentary ever made,� is a product of love.
�Behind the Chutes� follows the careers of two bareback riders as they strive to reach the top fifteen in the standings and qualify for the finals. The dreams of the cowboys are not reached, but they continue on. Even after retirement the dream of one bareback rider is still very much alive.
The film uses interviews and outstanding cinematography to tell the complete story of rodeo, including the family sacrifices, the camaraderie, the injuries, and the loneliness of travel. Ann highlights the respect that cowboys have for bucking stock and the humane treatment that the animals receive. The sound track for the film was provided by none other than Chris LeDoux.
I recommend the film to anyone who has ever rodeo�d or dreamed of rodeo�in. It highlights the positive aspects of our sport and explains the negative. It answers the question �Why do they do it? Why do they risk so much for so little?�
The expressions on the faces of those interviewed and the tones in their voices tell a story of their own. I was deeply touched the first time I watched the film. The feelings expressed in the story mirrored the feelings in my own heart.
Ann Lukacs is a 25 year veteran of the motion picture industry. She has worked on major feature films like �The Blues Brothers�, �Coal Miners Daughter�, �Beverly Hills Cop� and �The Laramie Project�. She has passion for her work, and because of this, she understands the passion that cowboys have for the sport of rodeo. A complete outsider, Ann witnessed her first rodeo competition in 1996. Because of her dedication to telling the true story of rodeo and �setting the record straight� she is accepted by cowboys and rodeo committees across the country.
Ann put her heart into telling our story in our own words. The result has captured her several film awards including two Telly Awards, a Remi Award and a Platinum Aurora Award. I am sure that many more will follow. Ann�s favorite award however is the reception and appreciation that she has received from the cowboys and their families. It is my prediction and hope that as the film is circulated we will see a surge in the number of bareback riders. For all the bull riders out there, don�t worry, I�m sure that someone will one day make a film just about bull riders (grin).