It’s one thing reading the paper or seeing a news article on TV but these small snips of news fail to help you understand what is going on.
In contrast, short films offer real meaning and portray other peoples perspectives, experiences and stories.
Films often engage us in ways that words don’t and for that reason we set up a free film club about a year ago that shows films that bring insight into the impact our lives have on the earth. Some of you might call these environmental or political. We try to play films that are about your life or affect it so that you can decide.
About a year ago (OCT 2008) 2 people began showing a series of films each month that better explain some of the things you hear in the media such as how people are coping with the effects of climate change and peak oil and what it means for the future of towns like Bolton and Horwich, Farnworth, Blackrod, Westhoughton,Great Lever,Bromley Cross and other areas of Bolton.
We have now grown to a small group of about 10 people, you are very welcome to join in and help us develop the ‘transition’ relationships between local residents, businesses councils, government and experts that will help all of us better adapt to the changes ahead and provide the next generation with a good start.
What are we hoping you’ll learn from these films?
It’s not alway easy to explain but this year (2009) you wouldn’t have imagined that water levels have dropped 46% in Rivington reservoir due to less rainfall. (Source United Utilites Aug 2009). A potato farmer over in Ormskirk has had to build their own reservoir (at a cost of nearly 400k) so they can guarantee water for the crop. And so here is an example of changing weather paterns that will directly affect the local fish and chip shops and your supply of potatoes, crisps etc in the region should water levels continue to be affected. To put this in perspective potatoes are one of the FOUR main global crop groups (wheat, barley, potatoes, rice) that feed the world.
Who are the canaries?
Well last year you might remember that the city of Barcelona ran out of their own water and had to ship water into the city.
So what must it be like in Australia where their rivers are drying up?
What kind of films do we show?
So far: Here is a list of the films and presentations from the last 8 months.
Oct 2008 – The Power of Community’ how Cuba survived peak oil. http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php
Nov 2008 – Ashton Hayes ‘Going Caron Neutral’. http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/
Nov 2008 – ‘The End of Suburbia’. http://www.endofsuburbia.com/
Jan 2009 – Film ‘The story of stuff’ followed by a presentation, Opportunities for Community Renewables by Steven Beesley. http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Feb 2009 – ‘Power of Community’ how Cuba survived peak oil, followed by a talk from Kevin from Hour Car in Hebden bridge. http://www.hourcar.org.uk/
March 2009 – Permaculture: A quiet revolution followed by a talk from Ann Kolodziejski. http://www.21paradigm.com/permaculture.php
April 2009 – ‘Black Gold’ this film and presentation by Jim Holliman did not go ahead due to no-one attending who hadn’t already seen the film. http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/
May 2009 – ‘Climate Change Solutions’ with a short presentation from Boyd, followed by a discussion with Martin Empson – ‘Campaign Against Climate Change’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvCJley78A
This season starts Friday 23rd October 2009 at 7.30PM at St Johns Methodist Church in Horwich with 3 short 20 minute films. See EVENTS link.