A Whale of a Tale in the Great Salt Lake

In the late 1800s, an Englishman named James Wickham attempting to introduce whales to the Great Salt Lake. The story, once deemed true by a Salt Lake Herald article in 1888, is now the focus of the documentary film “Whales of the High Desert.” Directed and co-written by Joseph Adam LeBaron, the film delves into the mystery surrounding Wickham and brings attention to a more urgent issue—the declining health of the Great Salt Lake.

The beginnings of the documentary trace back to the1888 article titled “Very Like A Whale.” Joseph Adam LeBaron explains, “They asked us to collaborate on a film with them and then lined up Professor Lynne McNeill to be our story guide.” Dr. Lynne McNeill, a Professor of Folklore, explored the origins of Wickham’s tale, emphasizing the documentary’s deeper message about the preservation of the Great Salt Lake.

LeBaron found his motivation in storytelling and the art of conveying narratives. “I just want to tell a good story,” he asserts, highlighting the significance of impactful storytelling over technicalities. LeBaron’s inspiration also stems from the desire to match the skills of his cousin Jacob Justice, the cinematographer, who plays a pivotal role in the filmmaking process.

The joy of making “Whales of the High Desert” for LeBaron lies in collaborative problem-solving. “Problem-solving with a crew that I love so dang much,” he enthuses. 

Making any movie takes grit. Filming in a lake during a Utah winter, dealing with logistics, and creating a period piece set in the 1870s, posed particular challenge for the film crew, Nut they got the film made.

One of the most interesting aspect for the team was the decision to film a story about the Great Salt Lake. LeBaron humorously reflects, “For some reason we thought it would be a good idea to film a story about a dying lake—that wasn’t deep enough for us to film in.”

LeBaron is satisfied with how the entire production turned out stating, “I love it for what it is and for the circumstances in which we navigated production.” “Whales of the High Desert” is an Official Selection of the Utah International Film Festival, with plans for distribution on PBS in the fall.

For those eager to follow Joseph Adam LeBaron’s career, he suggests checking the Instagram handle @thegoodline and visiting the website www.thegoodline.com. “Whales of the High Desert” is set to screen at Maven Cinemas in American Fork, UT, as part of the Utah International Film Festival providing a unique journey into the intriguing depths of Utah’s folklore and the imperative need to preserve the iconic Great Salt Lake.