The Musher
Maciej Tomaszewski took part in sled dog racing for 25 years.
MACIEJ’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2009
Source: Maciej Tomaszewski’s private archive
Maciej and his wife were the sole sponsors of their dog team
Most of the equipment which was needed for the team had been handmade by Maciej, including a 250 kg training cart and modifications to his van in order to make it possible to transport his dogs in it.
When the film was being shot, Maciej’s pack consisted of 20 dogs. Maciej practiced with twelve of them, the other eight had already retired.
With the exception of training sessions and competitions, Maciej didn’t demand absolute obedience from his dogs.
Maciej’s dogs sensed his emotions. He didn’t practice with them when he was upset or anxious.
Maciej Tomaszewski passed away on 1 December 2023
This was the time of the film’s postproduction (color grading and sound production). Maciej watched a rough cut of the film and approved it.
His death has changed this film A Pack into his last will. As creators of The Pack, we regard it now as an expression of Maciej’s life wisdom, which he managed to pass on through the medium of film for the future.
Maciej Tomaszewski passed away on 1 December 2023
This was the time of the film’s postproduction (color grading and sound production). Maciej watched a rough cut of the film and approved it.
His death has changed this film into his last will. As creators of The Pack, we regard it now as an expression of Maciej’s life wisdom, which he managed to pass on through the medium of film for the future.
The Philosophy of Maciej the Musher
While preparing food for their dogs, some mushers stir it in the dogs’ bowls with their hands and sing. I understand it.
Chaos means danger.
Yesterday I read something interesting on the Internet. A German lady wrote: „Give me snow and dogs – and you can take away all the rest”.
(Maciej laughs)
That’s how it is.
— How is it possible that dogs can make it over such long distances?
— Honestly, I don’t know.
Dogs can delight in landscape.
No training can teach motivation.
If dogs didn’t like it, they wouldn’t run.
Man is the only being in the world of fauna and flora who lives so much in the past.
Fancy a dog dwelling on the past so much…
Getting to like these dogs took me a lot of time.
You control the situation, unless you get scared.
