It is time once again for Canada’s largest, longest-running international social issues film festivals.
From Feb. 25 to 27, the No Boundaries film club will be presenting the sixth annual Grand Forks screening of the Traveling World Community Film Festival at Grand Forks Secondary School.
Opening our feast of 16 documentary films will be A Thousand Suns, Friday at 7 p.m.
This film tells the story of the unique world view held by the people of the Gamo Highlands of the African Rift valley. Not coincidentally, this doc ties in nicely with Schooling the World, our final film, Sunday, which takes a challenging look at the role played by modern education in the destruction of the world’s last intact indigenous cultures.
This film is beautifully shot in Ladakh, in the northern India Himalayas.
Our second film Friday is Water on the Table, which explores Canada’s relationship to its fresh water, arguably its most precious resource.
Featured in the film is Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians. Thus the romp begins.
In the past, comments have been made that the event can be overwhelming – in the least, a case of information overload, at worst, a disempowering experience. The last point of course, is a matter of personal choice. It’s not all about happy endings; reality doesn’t function that way. Indeed, there are films to provoke thought and discussion – one hope of the organizers.
There are also films designed to be just plain rollicking fun, The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, for example, and
Laughology, a little semantic fun that takes us on a journey whose path and destination are laughter. There is also the deeply heartening Good Morning Africa, an inspiring film of challenge and success.
Then there is Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie, the Vancouver International Film Festival Audience Award winner 2010.
This film, on Saturday night, is a detailed and rewarding film that follows environmentalist David Suzuki as he approaches his 75th year.
Other award winners include Kick Like A Girl and Soundtrack for a Revolution, which tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music. Oh yeah, and who could resist a flick with the title Dirt! The Movie?
This festival is about recognizing our similarities and embracing our differences. It is also about how, collectively, we are a force for positive change for all citizens of the planet.
As in the past, the Boundary Peace Initiative will be providing its usual excellent lunches.
The festival was started by the World Community Development Education Society (WCDES), based in Courtenay. To find out more about the WCDES, go to its website at www.wcdes.ca.
The No Boundaries film club has recently donated another four films to the Grand Forks Public Library.
For a complete list of films from festivals of the past that have been donated, please see the catalogue at the library.
Tickets for the festival are only available at the door and a full pass is $20, and $10 for seniors, students and low-waged.
A session pass (either morning, afternoon, or evening) is $5, and $3 for seniors, students and low-waged. Times are Friday 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information or to view the program, e-mail: larryhudema@yahoo.ca.
Submitted by Larry Hudema