Debut movie screening in Sechelt brings awareness to local climate change issues
Sheila Arellano // Writer.
A call to action will be hosted by Ravens Cry Theatre and Tree of Light Beings, a call to all who wish to help alleviate local climate change issues. People from all backgrounds are invited to attend the debut event on Saturday, December 7 at 3pm. In this screening, the audience will unify to fight against traditional agriculture and will speak up for local salmon.
Two 23-minute films will be featured throughout the afternoon. The first is titled Hear the Call: Salmon Nation where singer Ashleigh Ball travels with filmmaker Josh Thome to the remote coast of British Columbia where marine biologist Alexandra Morton and First Nations Chief Ernest Alfred fight to decide the fate of wild salmon and the entire coastal ecosystem that depends on them.
Through visual storytelling, this movie screening will spread awareness about important issues and will offer local solutions. The danger of salmon farms as well as the environmental impacts of agriculture are issues that need to be discussed and addressed today. First Nations Chief Ernest Alfred is taking a powerful stand for the salmon and his people in this film. Throughout the movie, Ashleigh finds her own voice as well through yet another powerful storytelling tool: music. Hear the Call climaxes with a musical and visual call to action that engages audiences in a concerted campaign to stop the destruction of the ecology and cultures of BC’s wild coast.
The second feature film titled Aina – That Which Feeds Us is a documentary where two of the most extreme versions of agriculture on Earth are represented. The story is told in Kauai, Hawaii, where the traditional ecological system of the island is shown as an example of a possible solution to current agricultural practices. In contrast, four of the world’s biggest agrochemical companies are shown, which are also based on this island. These companies use Kauai to spray an estimated ten tons of pesticides every year. This pollutes and poisons the island, damaging the environment locally and globally.
Movie Director Josh Thome will be present for a Q&A after the screening. The Q&A will be followed by a silent auction of artworks. The funds collected from the auction will be used to create the first fund-raiser for global initiatives through various organizations like Four Worlds International Institute, La Ventana-Palenque and Unify. Contributing artists include local renowned visionary artists such as Simon Haiduk and Autumn Sky Morrison, among a growing list of other talented artists from around the globe.
Storytelling is a powerful tool through which messages are shared. Since ancient times, humanity has told stories and learned from them. With the current climate crisis, stories have the power to unite and inspire people to manifest solutions. Encouraging environmental discussion in the world is crucial; yet, discussion must turn into action. In this movie screening, science and storytelling will collide and spread awareness while also offering local solutions. Everyone is encouraged to visit Sechelt’s Ravens Cry Theatre this Saturday, January 7 at 3pm. Together, humanity can align their visions and create experiences to positively impact life through daily steps.