The science pages may seem an odd place to publicize a film festival. However, the sixth annual Planet in Focus: Environmental Film & Video Festival, which opened at the Royal Cinema last night, should be of interest to green-minded scientist and non-scientist types alike.
The films explore the impact of humans on the environment, and the impact of the environment on humans. “We have defined environment very broadly,” said festival manager Anne Rock. “‘Environment’ can refer to the ecological environment, social environment or political environment….It depends on the message.”
The opening documentary of the festival, The Real Dirt On Farmer John by Taggart Siegel, won awards at film festivals all over the US. Taggart takes us through the life of Farmer John, a progressive Illinois farmer who overcame ostracism, depression and bad weather to create an organic farm incorporating agriculture, livestock and conservation areas of wetland and forest.
“On one side I have an incredible love of soil,” said Farmer John in the documentary as he danced around in an orange feather boa and a striped Dr. Seuss hat. “And on the other side I have an incredible sense of self-expression and creativity.”
Other documentaries include Cocaine: Viva La Coca which exposes the terror-stricken world of impoverished coca leaf farmers, and Killers in Eden which documents the unusual alliance between whalers and their killer whale accomplices in Eden, Australia. Some documentaries eschew humans altogether, like Ants: Nature’s Secret Power which reveals the ordered, militaristic and bewilderingly complex life of ants. All three of these documentaries will be screened on Saturday. Remember to bring your student ID as two students can get into any documentary for eight dollars.
In addition to the documentaries the three-day festival includes panel discussions of environmental issues such as oil depletion and filmmaking in the wild. The final discussion entitled ‘Global Garbage’ will be moderated by noted canadian ecologist David Suzuki.
The festival runs from until Sunday. Documentaries are screened at The Royal Cinema, The National Film Board and on campus, at Innis College. Please see planetinfocus.com for tickets, directions, synopses and schedules.
