On the remote barrier islands and marshy coastline of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, generations of decoy carvers have honed their craft and passed down their distinctive style to their children. From primitive subsistence tool to today's rarefied art object much-sought-after by collectors, Spirit of the Bird explores how this uniquely American folk tradition has evolved over the centuries.
A poignant meditation on the myriad ways hunting, art, and memory intersect in the lives of those keeping the traditions alive, this beautifully textured documentary gives voice to an entire region through its remarkably thoughtful cast of rough-hewn characters.
Today, these hunter/artists find they must adapt to rising sea levels that are rapidly changing the coastline and altering their way of life.