Mark Locki moved to the Yukon as a border security officer. However, the beautiful scenery of the territory inspired him to trade interrogating those crossing the border for capturing real people’s lives through documentary filmmaking.
Border patrol beginnings
Born in Vancouver, Locki grew up with parents who worked for Canada’s postal service, piquing his interest in the politics and postage of the Canadian government.
Due to his exposure to the world of Canadian politics via his parents’ occupation, Locki wanted to pursue something that would eventually lead him to a job at the Department of Foreign Affairs — known today as Global Affairs Canada.
After a few years of studying political sciences at the University of British Columbia, Locki took a job that stationed him up in the snowy mountains and bright turquoise rivers of Beaver Creek, Yukon.
“I was just stunned by how beautiful the landscapes were,” says Locki.
The newly positioned border patrol officer proceeded to spend the next 10 years working for Canada’s border security, questioning people about who they were and what they were bringing into Canada from the Port Alcan border in Alaska.
Career shift
However, his whole perspective of his career shifted — along with the rest of the world’s —when the COVID-19 pandemic shut Canada’s border.
Locki took his love for the scenic valleys and vast fields of wildflowers around him and started his progression into outdoor photography.
“I realized that there was kind of a mismatch between what I wanted to do and what my core values were,” says Locki.
Kicking off his photography portfolio, Locki started collaborating with non-profit organizations, helping with marketing.
This experience paved the way for Locki’s interest in telling stories surrounding the topic of the state of people and the state of the planet.
A passion for documentary filmmaking
Locki’s first documentary, New Roots, was released in 2021 focusing on farmers in the Kootenay region of British Columbia and the impact the pandemic was having on their resources. He covered local farmers’ personal experiences with food security during that time.
Shortly after his debut, he followed that up with The Will to Change — a documentary that covers three people who experienced homelessness in the community of Cranbrook, B.C. The film focused on destigmatizing the conversation around homelessness.
Locki feels the most impactful part of his filmmaking is building connections and trust with his subjects.
“I think, as filmmakers, we have to do as much listening as we have to do talking,” says Locki. “The people that I’m doing the film with are as much a part of the film as I am.”
Eventually, Locki found a home in both Calgary and Chihuahua, Mexico, where his fiancée is originally from.
His most recent film, #MOCrazyStrong — a film about bringing awareness to brain injuries —was met with critical acclaim.
The documentary was Locki’s first introduction to massive appeal. The production went on a major film festival run, with the film being accepted to over 20 festivals and winning several awards before going public on Amazon Prime.
Jamie MoCrazy, co-producer and director and whose ski career is the main subject of the film, says Locki’s dedication to filmmaking goes above and beyond your average documentary filmmaker.
“I got to see him develop over this film festival run and really start creating this new [era] of his life,” says MoCrazy.
The two collaborated on the production in every aspect, from the filming and interviewing to putting the final touches on the film.
“Mark does what he thinks is needed to execute and perform at the highest level,” MoCrazy says. “He had a belief, and he knew the work it would take to execute that.”
There are two more upcoming films Locki is in the midst of producing. Las Sotoleros — a film about the history and production of sotol in northern Mexico, and Movement — the story of Jeff Barager, who became the artistic director of the Symphony of the Kootenays despite a severe accident he suffered as an infant.
Locki continues to maintain his passion for spreading important narratives on stories that wouldn’t normally be told, continuing to believe in the power movies have on people.
“Whoever can control the messaging controls the population,” says Locki.
“Sharing real stories and being able to find an audience for them can really help shape public perception on a lot of different things.”