A wildlife pilot finds solace from trauma in the skies | Fight or Flight

‘Learning how to fly was easy … learning to heal was way harder.’ A film festival favourite over the past year, Fight or Flight chronicles how Denise Joi overcame a traumatic childhood to become the first female pilot employed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Featuring breathtaking views from her work high above of the Colorado landscape, the short documentary is a beautifully crafted story of persistence, strength and healing.
Director: Lindsey Hagen (lindseyhagen.net/)
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As a child, Denise Joi dreamt of becoming a pilot. Today, she’s the first female pilot employed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, hugging the grand curves of the Rocky Mountains in her small Cessna as she stocks fish in alpine lakes and helps track animal populations. However, as the short documentary Fight or Flight (2022) chronicles, her journey to the cockpit was hardly a straight line skywards. Rather, her dreams of taking to the air sprang from a desire to escape from childhood traumas, and were nearly thwarted by poverty - including periods of homelessness. Pairing Joi’s story with breathtaking views from her work high above the Colorado landscape and a serene string score, the US director Lindsey Hagen crafts a powerful story of persistence, strength and healing that aims to break stigmas around seeking help.
Director of photography: Chris Naum
Producers: Dan Riordan, Dana Saint, Kate Woodsome
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[@2xsparkle8]

I am in awe of this amazing woman and her strenth and fortitude!

[@morganwilliams8104]

Wow, what an amazing film about an incredible woman. Found this by accident after listening to Denise on a podcast.

[@Blue_van_man]

I am currently in flight training I want to be a bush pilot one day however this has inspired me to research becoming a wildlife pilot. Since I was a kid I always wanted to be a part of conservation efforts for my local wildlife. I can’t think of a more perfect way for me to do it than this. Thank you for opening my eyes to another possible path for me to pursue!

[@sabu378]

An inspiring story

[@mikelewis3278]

You go girl! Best wishes from the skies of Mississippi!

[@DevoteeOfAergia]

It constantly amazes me how mentally strong people can be.

[@ziademad4707]

❤

[@JakeBezemer]

thank you for sharing, I can't imagine how difficult it is to deal with abuse and the strength it takes to come out of that even halfway sane.

[@nathalto]

A very powerfull story !