I am so happy to be working with Planet In Focus’ 16th Annual Environmental Film Festival. The film festival will take place in Toronto October 21-25, 2015. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing my reviews for a selection of films that I have been given the opportunity to screen in advance. The first review I did was Return to Ryan’s Well, which was has a great message. The second film I reviewed was The Little Things, and it was really inspirational. Next up, After The Last River.
In After The Last River, filmmaker Victoria Lean has created a documentary not only about the community of Attawapiskat and the impact diamond mining has had on it’s people and their environment, but also using your voice and standing up for what you believe in.
After The Last River takes place in Attawapiskat, Ontario. This is a First Nations community. The film lays down the sad truth about first nation communities and how they live everyday. It’s not good. Victoria Lean, the Director of the film, travels to Attawapiskat to see the problems first hand. She thoughtfully interviews people from the community and gives them the opportunity to share about the obstacles they have had to overcome in the past century. Their homes are filled with mold, which makes people very sick. Their houses are very small, and are often home to several families. The schools there are dirty and lack resources – including teachers. One of the largest problems that this film explores is the overall impact of the diamond mining that has huge impact on the environment and the lives of this community.
But the community has not given up.
Victoria Lean is clearly passionate and shows an understanding about this issue and giving the people a voice so that they can raise awareness and put pressure for solutions on the government. She believes that everyone deserves equal rights and necessities. She believes that we can all help in so many ways. I totally agree.
“…being heard is different from being understood.” Filmmaker, Victoria Lean
Watch the film to learn more about how you can take action on this issue and have a better understanding of the problems the people in our country are facing every day. It’s a difficult watch, as most documentaries are sometimes, because you know what’s coming up: Chief Theresa Spence’s 6-week hunger strike in Ottawa, the rise of the Idle No More movement and the fact the community never gave up their fight, knowing the real mistake is never trying in the first place.
For more informaiton about the film, please visit their website, http://afterthelastriver.com/ and watch this trailer.
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