Film Series for Political Change
BC filmmaker Zack Embree’s moving film Directly Affected reveals the deeply compromised review process that led to our provincial and federal governments approving the TransMountain Pipeline expansion, and the inspiring examples of individuals willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our coast and the planet.
The film we planned to show as our last of 2018 had to be changed. Vancouver filmmaker Elaine Briere told us she needed more time to edit her latest film, at that time called Dangerous Hope: Canada’s Betrayal of Democracy in Haiti. Finally released in 2021 as Haiti Betrayed: Canada and the coup against democracy in Haiti, you can now watch this very powerful film online for $4.
As a quick replacement that night, we offered a related film by Montreal-based filmmaker Amy Miller about NATO and Canada’s escalating misuse of our military. Myths for Profit: Canada’s Role in Industries of War and Peace is a film that depicts the historical context for Canada’s gradual transition from altruistic peacekeeper to our current role as an active participant in unprovoked military aggression.
Why is Canada so eager to support the slaughter of civilians on the other side of the globe? Released in 2009, this film is still relevant today as the Canadian government continues to abuse our country’s reputation as a peacekeeper by exponentially increasing our military budget for aggressive warfare. Amy Miller’s eye-opening documentary reveals the still hidden blood on Canada’s hands.
Watching this informative film used to be free (like people everywhere just want to be) until March 2023. As far as we know, it is currently not available online.
A film about hope, Toad People is a touchingly sweet yet infuriating story about humans, owls and amphibians in Chilliwack, and the inspired community-led movement to save an endangered species. It’s also the story of many families and communities across BC who are taking action to save the wildlife in their backyard, whether it’s toads, mountain caribou, rattlesnakes or barn owls. See the trailer below.
Despite having some of the most diverse wildlife in North America – including 1,900 species at risk – British Columbia is one of only two provinces in Canada with no endangered species law!
A film about Andrew Weaver’s surprising and historic first election campaign in 2013 as he breaks through BC’s two-party stronghold to become our first Green MLA (followed in the next election by MLAs Adam Olsen and our current party leader, Sonia Furstenau). Fearing that BC’s climate leadership would fall by the wayside (which it did) Weaver decides to run for a party that had never won a seat in its 30 year history.
The film also explores how far scientists will go to warn of the dangers of runaway climate change, including SFU biologist Lynne Quarmby and former NASA climate scientist James Hansen, who was arrested outside the White House in 2011 protesting the Keystone XL pipeline from the Alberta tarsands. With science leading the way, Running on Climate highlights people acting locally to help prevent a global catastrophe.
This film is no longer available online.