South Shore Council of Canadians Presents EarthDream 2011

Peace.  The making of it and the breaking of it, the incredible struggles, difficulties and hopes of achieving peace are highlighted from varied perspectives in this year’s EarthDream Film Festival being held at the Mahone Bay Centre from April 8-10.

The South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians presents the second annual EarthDream Film Festival. Following on the popularity of last year’s festival which focused on environmental issues, this year’s free films revolve around the theme of peace and the making of it.

The line-up kicks off on Friday evening with Scott Taylor’s new film, “Afghanistan: Outside the Wire,” a compilation of interviews and experiences from Taylor’s five unembedded visits to Afghanistan since January 2007. The audience will have the opportunity to see inside the heart of Afghanistan to places rarely seen. Scott Taylor will be in attendance to lead the discussion following the screening.

A special feature on Saturday afternoon is the screening of a series of short films by young filmmakers presenting their visions of peace.  Other Saturday afternoon offerings deal with the issues of military spending. “Mothers Day at the War Show” contrasts images from the Ottawa Air Show with images from Iraq.  “Myths for Profit: Canada’s Role in Industries of War and Peace” concludes the afternoon. This dramatic exposé documentary explores Canada’s role in the military industry. Diverse interviews and case studies unveil the specific interests and profits that are made by certain corporations, individuals and agencies. Tamara Lorincz, well-known Halifax peace activist and member of the Halifax Peace Coalition will lead the discussion following these films.

Audience members will want to stay for Saturday evening’s films. “Voices in Wartime” examines experiences of war through the powerful voices of poets, both historical and current. “Breaking Ranks” is a moving film about the plight of American soldiers seeking sanctuary in Canada as part of their resistance to the war in Iraq.

The weekend concludes on an inspiring note on Sunday afternoon with “Soldiers of Peace.” Stories from fourteen countries around the world challenge the assumption that war will be with us forever. Narrated by Michael Douglas, the film illustrates the ways in which people and communities are making peace a reality.

Join us for EarthDream 2011: A Peace Film Festival– a weekend of transformative films, a unique festival of its kind in Nova Scotia. The South Shore Council of Canadians in cooperation with Cinema Politica provides this vibrant forum for learning, discussion and action.

Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted to cover costs.

Contact us at: southshore.coc@gmail.com or 527-2928

https://earthdreamfilmfest.wordpress.com  or Facebook: EarthDream 2011

Where: Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street, Mahone Bay – Mahone Bay Center Website

Schedule:  April 8, 9 & 10th

Friday Evening  April 8

7:30 pm:  Afghanistan: Outside the Wire– a timely appraisal of the situation in Afghanistan by Scott Taylor as he travels and interviews “outside the wire”

Discussion with Scott Taylor, filmmaker

Saturday Afternoon April 9

1:00 pm:   Youth Video Project

2:00 pm:    Selected Shorts

Mothers’ Day at the War Show-contrasting images from the Ottawa Air Show and from Iraq

2:30 pm:   Myths for Profit– explores Canada’s defense industries

Discussion with Tamara Lorincz, Halifax Peace Coalition

Saturday Evening April 9

7:30 pm:   Voices in Wartime– experiences of war through powerful images and through the words of poets

8:45 pm:   Breaking Ranks– examines the plight of US soldiers who are seeking sanctuary in Canada as part of their resistance to the war in Iraq

Sunday Afternoon April 10

2:00 pm:  Selected Shorts

2:15 pm:  Soldiers of Peace-this film illustrates the many ways in which people and communities are making positive change

Discussion with Roger Davies, a peace activist and a member of the Halifax Meeting of  the Religious Society of Friends.