Thursday was my second day of Hot Docs this year and I had a long day of wandering aimlessly through Queen West between 2 films -- both interesting. The first has been my favourite so far. Fractured Land explores the challenges and life of Caleb Behn, an indigenous law student (now lawyer) who is fighting against the natural gas industry destroying his territory in Northern BC. This was a film that contained some disappointments, some complications, some contradictions, and a lot of hope. That appears what life is.
For anyone who has no idea what is happening in our country, I strongly insist that you watch this film. And I would suspect 99% of the country is ignorant to the fracking industry in northern BC and its purely devastating effects on the environment and the people who live there. (And I would argue, its effects on everyone regardless of where you live. This is not limited to Canada, as the film shows with New Zealand’s own struggles.) Even if you know nothing about the politics behind this or the resource extraction industry itself, this film will explain it to you. It’s hard to illustrate just how terrible it is in a quick little blurb like I’m doing right now. I mean, I think many Canadians are aware of softwood lumber in BC, of mining in Ontario, hydropower development in Quebec, oil sands in Alberta, potash in Saskatchewan... and the issues faced by the people fighting for life there. It is the same thing: a natural resource being exploited beyond any hint of sustainability all with the steep cost of complete decimation of the natural environment, and thus the fauna that relies on it. There were moments I was brought to tears.
Just watch the trailer. See the film if you can. You’ll understand.
And I must say Caleb is such a character. He’s so exceptionally well-spoken, self aware, gifted, and well-learned on all the issues surrounding this. Listening to him field questions in the Q&A was a superb experience -- and one that makes me a little jealous (and sad I never quite grabbed onto the ambition and perseverance that are needed to grow into such a person too). What a guy, I swear. And that charisma and knowledge translate perfectly into the film as well. So well done, Fiona Rayher and Damien Gillis.
Tumblr: fracturedland.tumblr.com (Although there’s not much there cos it’s all password protected...)
The second film, Mom & Me was... I’m not quite sure what to say about it. It’s a good film full of home video footage. It’s quite a moving portrait of addiction on a deeply personal level. I found it to be a bit like a big-screen episode of Intervention which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I just wish it had been longer, gone a little bit deeper. There were definitely some moments that are incredibly moving for those with compassion for addicts, and it’s frustrating in equal measure, as the struggle with addiction often is.
