From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car, this timely documentary reveals the unregulated world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never become a commodity, water. From the plastic production to the ocean where too many bottles end up, this inspiring documentary is a powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, caught at the intersection of big business and the publics right to water. (Atlas Pictures, USA 2009).
OPEN CINEMA Season Six of thought-provoking films touched down gently on April 22 with a two day Earth Day Celebration and fundraiser with VIDEA. Thankyou to all those who supported and attended the events!
OPEN CINEMA: Season Seven will launch in October 2009.
Watch for updates about upcoming screenings and exciting new initiatives in Kenya!
OPEN CINEMA founder and Director Mandy Leith recently spent time in Nairobi researching community media initiatives and the Kenyan film industry.
It was incredibly inspiring to meet so many talented and hardworking folks who are doing amazing things with video, photography, radio and print, despite extremely challenging living conditions and limited resources. I spent a few days with one group in particular, The Mwelu Foundation and I was so touched and impressed by their vision, talent, humour and the ways that they are empowering young people in the slums of the Mathare Valley, on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Founder Julius Mwelu and other members of the group have been winning international awards for their photography, and making short films with next to no resources. It is exciting to think what they might be able to achieve with support!
I encourage you to take a look at their website www.mwelu.org.
OPEN CINEMA will be developing support and exchange initiatives with this group, and other community media groups in Nairobi in the near future.
For more information please contact Mandy (info@opencinema.ca).
OPEN CINEMA is honoured to present an evening focussed on addressing issues associated with homelessness on Wednesday February 25th 2009, with Mayor Dean Fortin, Reverand Al Tysick and more…
The award-winning National Film Board of Canada film Carts of Darkness and a short film by Rose Henry will be followed by open forum discussion focussed on issues related to Victoria’s homeless.
Carts of Darkness (NFB, 2008)
On the way to cash in bottles for a few dollars, a group of homeless men turn into road warriors, careening their grocery carts down death-defying hills. This award-winning documentary adopts the tropes of extreme sports filmmaking; fluid flowing cinematography, intense music, visceral pulse pounding action and irreverent characters unbounded by society s constrictions, to bring viewers deep into a world and deep into people they would normally look away from.
The story of endurance and resourcefulness, Carts Of Darkness captures the risk and intensity of life lived on the very edge.
Directed by Murray Siple, National Film Board of Canada, 2008
We are thrilled to announce the launch of OPEN CINEMA’s sixth season of thought-provoking films followed by open forum discussion with invited guests in cafe style venues.
In partnership with MediaNet, the evening will feature a dozen hot off the press films, created as part of the inaugural Eco Doc film production program (http://www.media-net.bc.ca/otherprograms/ecodoc.html).
Don’t miss this one-off evening showcasing a dozen locally made environmental short films followed by discussion with Saanich-Gulf Islands candidates Andrew Lewis (Green), Julian West (NDP), activist/filmmaker Richard Boyce and more!
7pm (Doors open at 5.30pm)
Victoria Event Centre
1415 Broad St
$10 donation at the door only
Cash bar and hand-made snacks for sale, so make sure you come early to avoid disappointment!
We regret that there is no elevator access at this time.
OPEN CINEMA screened Breaking Ranks in January 2008, and now the film is being used to support the campaign to stop the deportation of war resistor Jeremy Hinzman and his family by September 23rd 2008.
This award-winning documentary and 2008 Sundance favourite highlights the local intimacies of an emerging global catastrophe, in Africa, India, California and Canada.
With an unflinching focus on politics, pollution and human rights, FLOW: For Love of Water ensures that the precarious relationship between humanity and water can no longer be ignored. While specifics of locality and issue may differ, the message is the same; water, and our future as a species, is quickly drying up. Armed with a thirst for survival, people around the world are fighting for their birthright. www.flowthefilm.com
Post-screening discussion with Richard C. Bocking (filmmaker and author of Mighty River) and Gwen Barlee, Policy Director for Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Cash bar
Complimentary Appetizers
Courtesy of Paisley Restaurant/Sanctuary Café
Silent & Live Auctions
Dozens of great items, including a night for two at Sooke Harbour House!
Much more!
ADMISSION BY DONATION
20% of funds raised go to VIDEA’s Women For Change Water Projects
Please stay tuned for details of our exciting Spring 2008 program, including an Arts double bill (produced by Victoria filmmakers), an Earth Day special and more!
