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Sustainability Film Series 2011
Sustainability Film Series 2011 is an innovative and exciting collaborative series of films and panel discussions designed to generate awareness, conversation and debate around current issues in sustainability. The Series features local premieres of visionary documentary films that explore sustainability, followed by panels of vibrant and informative discussions comprised of leading academics, community leaders, and proactive citizens who present and exchange ideas and views on current and local trends in sustainability.
Sustainability Film Series 2011 is a collaborative, multi-venue project that represents a partnership between The Film Society of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the Bell Museum, the Institute on the Environment (IonE), with support from the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and Take-Up Productions.
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Milking the Rhino examines the deepening conflict between humans and animals in an ever-shrinking world. Shot in some of the world's most magnificent locations, Milking the Rhino offers complex, intimate portraits of rural Africans on the forefront of community-based conservation -- a movement that's turning poachers into preservationists and local people into stewards of their land.
A Panel Discussion with the Minnesota Zoo's Ron Tilson and Tara Harris will follow the screening.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Tara Harris, Conservation Biologist
Dr. Harris has spent a total of four years living and working in Uganda, studying black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza). Although she is currently working on the Zoo’s project in China and intends to begin research soon in Namibia, her publications thus far have focused on the behavior, ecology, hormones, and genetics of the monkeys she studied.
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In 1923, Rudolf Steiner, a scientist, philosopher & social innovator, predicted that in 80 to 100 years honeybees would collapse. His prediction has come true with Colony Collapse Disorder, where bees are disappearing in mass numbers from their hives with no clear single explanation. In an alarming inquiry into the insights behind Steiner’s prediction Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? examines the dire global bee crisis through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, scientists, farmers, and philosophers. On a pilgrimage around the world, the film unveils 10,000 years of beekeeping, highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices. Featuring Michael Pollan, Vandana Shiva, Gunther Hauk and beekeepers from around the world, this engaging, alarming and ultimately uplifting film weaves together a dramatic story that uncovers the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.
A Discussion with Kevin Williams, Bell Museum's Curator of Education and resident beekeeper, to follow the screening.
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Ghost Bird is a feature length documentary about an extinct giant woodpecker, a small town In Arkansas hoping to reverse it misfortunes, and the tireless odyssey of the bird-watchers and scientists searching for the Holy Grail of birds, the elusive Ivory-billed woodpecker.
Panel discussion will follow the film, featuring our expert guests:
Jim Fitzpatrick is director of Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings, and happens to be one of the first people who spotted the illusive bird in 2005. (He also met the producers of the documentary while they were preparing to film.)
Carrol Henderson has been with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Non-Game Wildlife Program since 1977 and brings his expertise and passion for birding along with his broad knowledge of the relationship between species extinction and habitat loss.
Ann Kessen is an avid birder and teacher, and the current president of the Minnesota Ornithological Union.
Bell Museum will be bringing out its exceptionally rare Ivory-billed woodpecker specimen to be displayed for this event!
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The Greenhorns explores the lives of America's young farming community - its spirit, practices, and needs. It is the filmmaker's hope that by broadcasting the stories and voices of these young farmers, we can build the case for those considering a career in agriculture - to embolden them, to entice them, and to recruit them into farming.
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What do we really know about wind power? We are told it’s ‘green energy’ and reduces our dependency on foreign oil. That’s exactly what the people of Meredith in upstate New York thought when a wind developer offered to supplement this farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own – that of 40 industrial wind turbines. Attracted at first to the financial incentives, some of the townspeople grow increasingly alarmed as they find out about side effects they had never anticipated. Windfall exposes the dark side of wind energy development and the potential for highly profitable financial scams. With wind development in the US growing annually at 39%, Windfall is an eye-opener for anyone concerned about the future of renewable energy.
Director Laura Israel present and Panel Discussion to follow screening.
WINDFALL will screen as part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival - Festival admission prices apply.
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Truck Farm takes a look at the quirky world of urban agriculture. After filmmaker Ian Cheney (King Corn) plants a garden in the back of his pickup truck, he and the Truck Farm set out to explore the rooftops, barges and windows that represent New York Cityʼs newest edible oases. Can these urban farmers feed a city? Can the old Dodge and its crops survive the winter? Blending serious exposition with serious silliness, Truck Farm entreats viewers to ponder the future of urban farming, and to consider whether sustainability needs a dose of fun and whimsy to be truly sustainable. Truck Farm is a simple concept with a big impact. Itʼs a 1986 Dodge pickup with a mini-farm planted in the truck bed. Itʼs a traveling, edible exhibit that brings a rural experience to urban students. And it’s a Brooklyn based CSA that makes weekly deliveries to 20 families!
Director Ian Cheney Present! Panel Discussion to follow screening.
TRUCK FARM will screen as part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival - Festival admission prices apply.
A collection of the best environmentally focused films skillfully crafted by students at the University of Minnesota.
Filmmakers Present!
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Working backwards through history, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mystery of the development of Japan’s love affair with bugs. Using insects like an anthropologist’s toolkit, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners’ perspectives on nature, beauty, life, and even the seemingly mundane realities of their day-to-day routines.
Panel Discussion to follow screening.
Sustainability Film Series 2011 Admission:
Regular Adult - $8.00
Members of the Bell Museum & The Film Society - $5.00
U of M Students - Free w/ ID
Other Students - $5.00 w/ ID
Children under 12 - $5.00
Venues:
115 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Validated Parking