MARCH 3-5, 2017 Gulf Islands Secondary School

Home , Jennifer Abbott, My Scientology Movie, Spirit Unforgettable

MARCH 3-5, 2017

Gulf Islands Secondary School

PRESENTED BY Welcome to the Festival I am struck this year by how many of the films centre could work in the real world, giving us Power To Change. on an individual. Of course, this is always the case for Guantanamo’s Child Omar Kadar is a controversial biographies, and we have some fine ones about multi- figure, the only juvenile ever tried for war crimes, raising talented Maya Angelou, photographer Harry Benson, questions of personal responsibility, and the effects of artist Lawren Harris, Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, fear on justice. Female Afghan rapperSonita’s story sees scientist Dr. Marion Diamond, and gay club owner and the documentarian cross the line into involvement. activist Jewel Thais-Williams. Whether through an individual or not, it is the ability Sometimes the story of a particular person leads us of the filmmaker to Show Me What You Care About into a broad issue. To name a few, in A Good American, that makes these films connect with us, opening up our crypto-mathmetician William Binney created an analysis world. Enjoy! system that could have prevented 9/11, had it not been suppressed. Tony Blair stands for every politician Therin Gower of questionable morals in The Killing$ of Tony Blair. Chair, Technology entrepreneur Amir Roughani expresses our Salt Spring Film Festival Society own questions about whether green-friendly power The Salt Spring Film Festival STAFF COMMITTEE LEADERS James Cowan - Festival Manager Box Office – Jim Meadows Jane Aitken - Festival Administrator Communications – James Cowan Decor – Diana Morris BOARD OF DIRECTORS Food – Noni Peck Therin Gower – Co Chair Fundraising – Rick Mackinnon Jim Meadows – Co Chair Graphics – Jane Aitken, Diane Copeland Thomas Neil Martin – Treasurer Hospitality – Bruce Eggertson Melissa Searcy – Secretary Logistics – Cliff Knox Katharine Atkins – Director Membership – Therin Gower Diane Copeland Thomas – Director Projectionists – Judy McPhee Bruce Eggertson – Director Social Justice Bazaar – Maggie Ziegler Cliff Knox – Director Technical – Dave Vollrath Connie Kuhns – Director Venue set-up – Katharine Atkins Diana Morris – Director Volunteers – Therin Gower Dave Vollrath – Director Website – Alastair Aitken Festival Passes Admission to the Festival is by Weekend, Day or Gala Night Pass Prices pass. The passes may be purchased in the following ways: Weekend + Gala Gala Night, Sat & Sun $40.00 Weekend + Gala Pass Weekend Pass Saturday & Sunday $30.00 Available in advance through the ArtSpring Ticket Centre, Day Pass Saturday OR Sunday $18.00 and at the door. Includes Friday Night Gala. Half Day Pass Sat OR Sun from 2pm $10.00 Gala only Friday night only $15.00 Weekend Pass, Day Pass, Half Day Pass, Gala Night only Available at the door. No advance sales. The purchase price of a pass includes your Salt Spring Film Festival Society 2017 membership. Subsidized Passes A number of subsidized passes are available through the main reception desk at Community Services main office (268 Fulford Ganges Road). Subsidized passes are also available at the Festival box office. Please inquire at the door. Special thanks to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 and Salt Spring Community Services for their support in our subsidized pass program. Filmmaker Series sponsored by Stonehouse B&B and Hastings House Nettie Wild,director Jennifer Galvin, director Koneline: our land beautiful The Memory Of Fish (Sunday March 5, 10:00am) (Saturday March 4, 10:00am) Nettie Wild is one of Canada’s leading documentary A scientist and a filmmaker, Dr. Jennifer Galvin filmmakers. Her highly charged and critically is internationally recognized for her work at the acclaimed films have brought her audiences behind intersection of environment, health, innovation, the frontlines and headlines of revolutions and social and story. She runs reelblue, LLC – an independent change around the world. Nettie is best known for her film production and media company based in award winning documentary features including Fix: New York. Jennifer was selected to the American The Story of an Addicted City (2002), A Place Called Film Institute’s Catalyst Workshop for Science Chiapas (1998), Blockade (1993) and A Rustling Of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Storytelling and Screenwriting, and to the Environmental Film and Wildlife Revolution (1988). Nettie Wild’s films have been distributed theatrically, and Documentary Residency held at EICTV, Cuba. Her award-winning feature broadcast in Canada and internationally. She has been honored at film festivals directorial debut, Free Swim, travelled the globe to reduce youth drowning, around world including winning the Genie Award (twice) for Best Feature promote diversity in ocean-related sports, and ignite community coastal Documentary in Canada, Best Feature Documentary from the International conservation. Jennifer is increasingly interested in expanding her role as Documentary Association, and top honors from the Forum of New Cinema at advisor/bridge-builder/producer for projects investing in coastal and island the Berlin International Film Festival. Nettie’s latest featureKONELĪNE: our land entrepreneurs, especially women, in the US and Caribbean. She is dedicated beautiful, won Best Canadian Documentary in the 2016 Hot Docs Film Festival. to innovating social impact around five core environmental and health issues: water, food, disease, climate, and energy. Roger Williams, director Isabelle Groc, director RiverBlue (Saturday March 4, 12:30pm) Short Films by Isabelle Groc Roger Williams is a Gemini-nominated Director Based in Vancouver, Isabelle Groc is an award- of Photography who has worked for some of winning writer, wildlife photographer and the world’s most respected broadcasters and filmmaker. She focuses on environmental entertainment companies. He’s not only produced science, wildlife natural history and conservation, entertaining and enlightening programming, but his endangered species, marine mammals and company Inspired Image Picture Company Inc. is one ecosystems, and the changing relationships of Canada’s largest and most respected production between people and their environments. Her service and rental companies. His work has crossed stories and photographs have appeared in National from documentary, to reality, to drama, as well as commercials. If there is a Geographic News, BBC Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife, New Scientist, Scientific constant theme running through Roger’s work it’s based on his philosophy American, and many other publications. A fellow of the Explorers Club, to create productions with purpose and compelling content that matters to Isabelle has travelled to remote places to raise the profile of many little- viewers. RiverBlue is a documentary that not only fits this mandate, but clean known, elusive and under-appreciated threatened species, aiming to inspire water is a subject that matters to a man who, for years, has been passionate concern and action for their conservation through her films and journalism. about boating on the waters off the coast of beautiful British Columbia. Naomi Mark, director/producer Brianne Nettelfield, director/producer Show Me What You Care About Show Me What You Care About (Sunday March 5, 12:30pm) (Sunday March 5, 12:30pm) Naomi Mark is a Yukon born and raised filmmaker Brianne Nettelfield was born in British Columbia who has worked in the film industry for the past and has spent her life hopping back and forth six years in both scripted and non-scripted film and across the Alberta/BC border. She completed a television. With a BA in Communication Studies BA in Cultural Studies at UBC and a certificate from Concordia University and a Certificate in in directing for film at Langara College. In 2012 Directing from Langara College Film Arts, Naomi Brianne began her first long form documentary has spent the majority of her twenties crafting film Show Me What You Care About (SMWYCA). stories for film and video. Most recently Naomi co-directed the short film Inspired by her experience Brianne decided to commit to what she felt Underdog for CBC Short Docs and is a producer on the critically acclaimed passionate about: community, storytelling and transformative experiences. film Aim For The Roses. Having just completed directing her first long form She headed back to her hometown in northern Alberta to begin her next documentary Show Me What You Care About Naomi is already deep in story, The Less You Carry. It may take longer to complete, because it involves production on her first feature film, How to Bee. canoes, but thankfully she lives by the river. Jesús Guillén, subject Pete McCormack, director Last Men Standing Spirit Unforgettable (Sunday March 5, 2:30pm) (Friday March 3, 7:00pm) A single gay romantic latino, singer/composer Pete McCormack is a director, writer, producer and with a love for creativity. An advocate/activist HIV musician. His documentary Facing Ali was Oscar long term survivor of 31 years, founder of the HIV short-listed in 2009 and won VIFF’s 2009 most Long Term Survivors Group on social media with popular documentary (as did Spirit Unforgettable more than 4000 members. His story is a story of in 2016). Other award-winning films include the immigration, a story of surviving and volunteerism Kevin Spacey-narrated Uganda Rising, the Spike-TV with the main objective of trying to help our hit I Am Bruce Lee, the scripted feature See Grace community to have not just a longer life, but to grow older with dignity. Fly and the Pierce Brosnan-narrated short documentary Hope In The Time of His background is in mass media, communications and public relations, but AIDS. Pete created the HBO documentary series Sports on Fire. Pete’s written through his whole life, music and art has been always the backbone of his life. several produced screenplays and two novels, including the Stephen Leacock- Always thankful. nominated Understanding Ken. He is currently working on a new novel. Festival Venue Gulf Islands Secondary School, 112 Rainbow Road Opening Night Gala Sponsored by Purica Friday March 3 Special dinner and desserts menu from 5:30 pm Feature film at 7:00 pm Spirit Unforgettable Tickets $15 at the door (food not included)

Spirit Unforgettable Pete McCormack, Canada, 2016, 80 mins

John Mann, rowdy lead singer for beloved band Spirit of the West, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Spirit Unforgettable documents the challenging and beautiful process of preparing for a concert which might be his last. Mann has strong support. The bandmates’ humour and joy permeate the film. Also central is the 30-year bond between Mann and his wife Jill Daum. Music is Mann’s lifeline, helping him to reclaim some language and memories. His famous line, “You’ll have to excuse me, I’m not at my best” is poignant now, but his courage and power of spirit defy adversity to create enduring beauty. Filmmakers in attendance - director Pete McCormack, John Mann and Jill Daum plus band members. All Governments Lie Atlantic Fred Peabody, Canada, 2016, 90 mins Risteard Ó Domhnaill, Ireland, 2015, At its best, journalism should 75 mins have an inquisitive relationship This film is a timely and cautionary with power, constantly tale about the downside of questioning or combatting it in global trade agreements. It starts a relentless pursuit of the truth. with the collapse of Canada’s cod Unfortunately, giant media fishery in the early 1990s, so that conglomerates often have a Canada could sell wheat abroad. vested interest in making money It then moves to Ireland, where rather than uncovering lies. Matt small fishers were completely Taibbi (Rolling Stone) states, “What makes money in this country abandoned by their government is avoiding difficult truths”. The legacy of IF Stone and his ground after joining the EU. Prudent Norway did not join, choosing instead breaking reporting has inspired journalists such as Amy Goodman to protect its sovereignty and fishers - both of which thrived. When and Michael Moore to find the truth. “When the media acts as a Norway discovers offshore oil, the government ensures Norwegians conveyor belt for the lies, why it matters is because lies take lives” are the beneficiaries. Ireland is given short shrift again by government - Amy Goodman (Democracy Now). This film is truly an inspiration. when oil is discovered offshore, but Newfoundland fares much better Saturday March 4 2:30pm Fernwood thanks to pit bull premier Danny Williams. Sunday March 5 2:30pm Maxwell Sunday March 5 2:30pm Tuam

Bluefin Bugs John Hopkins, Canada, 2016, 53 mins Andreas Johnsen, Denmark, 2016, Bluefin is a tale of epic stakes 74 mins set in North Lake, Prince Edward Two young chefs take a fresh and Island, known as the “tuna surprising look at a sustainable capital of the world.” Local source of nutritious and delicious fishermen swear the spectacular food for a growing world Atlantic bluefin tuna are so population: bugs. They look at plentiful here they literally eat them in Australia, in Mexico, out of people’s hands. But many Peru, Japan, Kenya, Uganda, Italy, scientists contend the species and in other countries around is on the brink of collapse. Can both claims be true? A passionate the world and find that bugs concern about the fate of the mercilessly hunted and valuable tuna can be surprisingly rich delicacies, greatly varied in flavour. The film lies at the heart of this baffling mystery. Filmmaker, John Hopkins offers no answer to the problem of large corporations industrializing tries to shed light on the conflicting explanations for the bluefin’s food production and defeating biodiversity, but the glimpse into the puzzling behaviour. future of food on an international trip comes with much exuberance With Short Films by Isabelle Groc. and highly informative fun, at times almost orgasmic. Saturday March 4 2:30pm Vesuvius Sunday March 5 10:00am Bruce

Command And Control Death By Design Robert Kenner, USA, 2016, 92 mins Sue Williams, USA, 2015, 75 mins They called it ‘human error’; Consumers love – and live on a technician simply dropped a – their smartphones, tablets socket wrench to the floor of and laptops. A cascade of new an underground missile silo. But devices pours endlessly into when it bounced back up and the market, promising even punctured a hole in the fuel tank better communication, non- of a Titan II missile armed with stop entertainment and instant a nuclear warhead, the world as information. The numbers are we know it came perilously close staggering. But this revolution has to an end. In this fast-paced and frightening documentary based on a dark side. In an investigation that Eric Schlosser’s book, the men who were on the ground that night spans the globe, filmmaker Sue Williams investigates the underbelly in Damascus, Arkansas return to relive their experience. Through of the electronics industry and reveals how even the smallest devices interviews, old newsreels and re-creations, the confusion, fear and have deadly environmental and health costs. From the intensely courage of those left behind is painfully told. secretive factories in China, to a ravaged New York community and the high-tech corridors of Silicon Valley, the film tells a story of the fast Sunday March 5 12:30pm Bruce approaching tipping point between consumerism and sustainability. Saturday March 4 2:30pm Tuam Sunday March 5 4:15pm Bruce Do Not Resist Equal Means Equal Craig Atkinson, USA, 2016, 70 mins Kamala Lopez, USA, 2016, 93 mins “What do you fight violence with? The new administration in Superior violence. Righteous Washington puts women’s violence. Violence is your tool… rights at risk. But are those You are men and women of rights as strong and entrenched violence.” So says a retired army as one might think? This film officer, a popular American police takes a wide yet probing lens trainer at one stop we make on a to the treatment of women rough ride through an exploration in the United States including of the militarization of American wage parity, legal protects, police. Director Craig Atkinson maternity leave, ending violence and poverty and more. A historical takes us from the streets of Ferguson to a South Carolina SWAT team to perspective on the still unratified Equal Rights Amendment leads to a small community that gets an armoured vehicle they don’t want. This the unsettling conclusion that present laws are inadequate. The facts visceral and unnerving film is essential to an understanding of today’s and figures, the past and present, the stories of activists, ordinary United States. A must see. Winner of best documentary feature at the women and survivors of violence raise the question: how far have Tribeca Film Festival. women come? Saturday March 4 12:30pm Fernwood Saturday March 4 4:15pm Tuam Sunday March 5 4:15pm Erskine

Freightened: The Real A Good American Price Of Shipping Friedrich Moser, Austria, 2015, Denis Delestrac, Spain, France, 100 mins 2016, 84 mins Friedrich Moser’s convincing Guess what percentage of film shows the brilliance of the goods you consume were Bill Binney’s mind and his best transported by sea? It isn’t just intentions for judicious use of the total that is shocking; even surveillance at the National the cheapest goods may have Security Agency in the USA. traversed the globe repeatedly It also shows how they are during manufacture. This defeated by negligence and engrossing film exposes a world that is deliberately removed from greed at the upper levels of the organization itself. Prior to 9/11, our sight, where the environmental havoc described in last year’s Binney, a cryptographer, and his team had developed the Thin Thread, excellent film Sea Blind is just a starter. Freightened explores a a programme to find patterns of security interest in metadata ―one complex global web of unregulated power, run by moneymakers that would have revealed the plan to destroy the Twin Towers. The unconcerned about high costs to individuals and the world. But Good American looks back, deeply disturbed at how his work was there are ways we can take action to ensure that the price is not too side-lined and the towers fell. high. English, French, with English subtitles Sunday March 5 10:00am Vesuvius Saturday March 4 4:15pm Maxwell Sunday March 5 12:30pm Tuam Guantanamo’s Child: Harry Benson: Shoot First Omar Khadr Matthew Miele, Justin Bare, USA, 2015, 89 mins Patrick Reed, Michelle Shephard, Canada, 2015, 80 mins First well-known for his In 2002 15 year old Omar Khadr exuberant shots of The Beatles was captured by Americans in having a pillow fight, Harry Afghanistan and charged with Benson was both a celebrity war crimes. After spending photographer and a serious nearly half his life behind photojournalist. He attributed bars, including a decade at his success to being there and Guantanamo, Khadr is suddenly ready to shoot, as he was when released. This documentary delivers an intimate portrait of how a Robert F. Kennedy was gunned teenager from a Toronto suburb became the centre of one of the down, during civil rights clashes, and in famine-stalked refugee first U.S. war crimes trial since the prosecution of Nazi commanders camps. But key to his work, Harry’s charm and story-telling draw us in the 1940s. Khadr is the only juvenile ever tried for war crimes. in, showing why so many people trusted him enough to open up. Guantanamo’s Child gives Omar Khadr the opportunity to speak for Packed full of his photographs and affectionate tributes, this highly himself on camera, for the first time. entertaining film also touches on the cost and responsibility of being an artist-journalist. Saturday March 4 2:30pm Maxwell Saturday March 4 4:15pm Erskine Sunday March 5 4:15pm Vesuvius Inhabit Jeff Wall: In Order To Costa Boutsikaris, USA, 2015, 92 mins Make A Picture The weakest link in the Lu Nelson, Canada, 2015, 45 mins permaculture movement is the Jeff Wall is Canada’s most challenge to communicate just internationally successful living exactly what it is, let alone why artist. This intimate portrait it can be a game changer in so is the first film to address his many different fields. Inhabit: A work and his working process, Permaculture Perspective does a examining the world-renowned great job of making permaculture photographer’s unique synthesis more accessible. Permaculture of art history, painting and is a design science based on the observation and replication of cinema, in his defiant creation of the modernist photograph. The patterns and relationships found in nature; it is an approach to film documents Wall at work on two contemporary projects: an designing sustainable systems of agriculture, community, economics, elaborately staged, cinematically realized, painterly photograph Spring politics and more. This film highlights a number of people practicing Snow based on an image inspired by Yukio Mishimas 1971 novel of the permaculture across a variety of locations from rural to urban and same name, a story of forbidden love among the turbulent society suburban areas. Plenty of food for thought! of late-Imperial Japanese aristocracy; and Woman With A Covered Tray, depicting a seemingly everyday event with his unique cinematic Saturday March 4 12:30pm Bruce vision. Producer Elizabeth Yake in attendance. Sunday March 5 2:30pm Vesuvius Jewel’s Catch One The Killing$ Of Tony Blair C. Fitz, USA, 2016, 84 mins Sanne van den Bergh, Greg Ward, In 1973, Jewel Thais-Williams Daniel Turi, UK, 2016, 91 mins bought a working-class bar Take a dark romp through the in a neglected Los Angeles increasingly weird world of neighbourhood and opened Tony Blair with UK left-wing a disco. When the Catch One politician George Galloway as closed four decades later, it had your guide. Galloway, himself become the most famous black, a complex and controversial gay disco in the United States and character, crowdfunded this Thais-Williams was legendary for film which follows Blair through her work as an activist, health advocate, and healer. With the club and beyond three elections, diving into conflicts within the Labour as a gathering place, Ms Thais-Williams led her community through Party and Blair’s role in the catastrophic invasion of Iraq. Exposed troubled, yet exciting times, all to the soundtrack of some ofthe are questionable and compromised relationships, political self- best music of the era. Told through first person accounts and original interest, property interests and money making consultancy jaunts to footage, this film is powerful reminder of what one person can do. unpleasant regimes. In the words of one reviewer, the nausea grows Saturday March 4 10:00am Bruce as the evidence rolls in. Come and see this film and make up your own mind about Tony Blair. Saturday March 4 10:00am Fernwood Sunday March 5 12:30pm Maxwell Konelīne: our land Last Men Standing beautiful Erin Brethauer, Tim Hussin, USA, 2015, 66 mins Nettie Wild, Canada, 2015, 96 mins The beauty and complexity “Here we are, 25 years later, of life in northwestern BC is still alive and not knowing Last Men Standing honoured in this poetic and why”. tells the stories of eight men from allusive film by award-winning the San Francisco area who are filmmaker Nettie Wild. Shunning long-term survivors of the AIDS a narrative that would pit crisis. From learning of their nature against technology and own diagnosis to losing friends, first nations against whites, Wild allows us space to consider all aspects of what the land and lovers and neighbours in the Castro area of the city, the men talk intimately about living with the people are really like. She makes enthralling art of choppers what they thought would be a certain death sentence. When the landing a transmission tower, and challenges urbanites with the discovery of drugs to treat HIV and prevent AIDS altered the course reality of butchering a moose. Tahltan elders protest mining, while of the epidemic, survival brought new challenges and new struggles young Tahltan men find much-needed employment at the industrial for these largely forgotten last men standing. sites. This mesmerizing film is winner of Best Canadian Feature Jesús Guillén in attendance. Documentary at HotDocs. Director Nettie Wild in attendance Sunday March 5 2:30pm Fernwood Sunday March 5 10:00am Erskine Saturday March 4th Erskine Vesuvius Fernwood Maxwell Tuam Bruce

ROOM Dance Studio N205 N207 S205 S207 S208

Maya The Memory The Killing$ Reset Tickling Jewel’s Angelou: of Fish of Tony Blair Giants Catch One And Still I 54 min Rise Filmmaker and Xwaaqw’um: 10:00am 112 min 91 min 110 min 111 min 84 min Welcome Home 5 min Filmmaker 12:00 noon LUNCH BREAK Where The RiverBlue Do Not Shadow Obit Inhabit Universe Resist World Sings: The Spiritual Journey of 95 min 73 min 94 min 96 min 92 min Lawren Harris

12.30pm Filmmaker 90 min My Love Bluefin All Guantanamo’s Death By The Affair With 53 min Governments Child: Omar Design Uncondemned The Brain: The and Lie Khadr Life & Science Short Films by of Dr. Marion Isabelle Groc 90 min 73 min 90 min 20 min 2:30pm Diamond 92 min 62 min Filmmaker

Harry Sonita Left On Freightened: Equal Means Quebec My Benson: Purpose The Real Equal Country Mon Shoot First Price of Pays Shipping 89 min 90 min 85 min 84 min 93 min 90 min 4:15pm

Note: Shaded area indicates films also shown on Sunday Gentle Reminders • Please be patient at the entrance to the venue and films. chance of getting to see the film of your choice. There is Lineups happen. Volunteers try to get people through no reserved seating. No standing permitted. Check your the doors as quickly as possible. If you have questions, program guide to see which films are being repeated. concerns, suggestions, or compliments, please ask one of • Once the film has started, respect the audience by not the volunteers or Festival staff. entering late. If you do enter late, please be quiet and • Seating is first come first served. Some films may be full. courteous. It’s suggested that you have a backup plan in case the film • If you need to munch, do it before or after a screening. No you want to see is full. Arrive at screening rooms in good food or beverages (except water in a sealed container) are time for the showing to get your seat. This maximizes your allowed in the screening rooms (classrooms). Sunday March 5th Erskine Vesuvius Fernwood Maxwell Tuam Bruce

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Koneline: A Good Playing My Where The Bugs our land American Lecuona Scientology Universe beautiful Movie Sings: The Spiritual Journey of 96 min 100 min 110 min 99 min 74 min 10:00am Filmmaker Lawren Harris 90 min 12:00 noon LUNCH BREAK Power To Show Me Yarn The Killing$ Freightened: Command Change - What You of Tony Blair The Real And Control The Energy Care About Price of Rebellion 50 min Shipping Filmmaker and 76 min 91 min 84 min 92 min Welcome To

12.30pm 94 min Canada 20 min

Quebec My Jeff Wall: Last Men All Atlantic Salero Country Mon In Order Standing Governments Pays To Make A Lie Picture 90 min 90 min 45 min 66 min 75 min 76 min 2:30pm Filmmaker Filmmaker

Do Not Harry My Love TBD TBD Death By Resist Benson: Affair With FILMS FOR FILMS FOR Design Shoot First The Brain: The THIS TIME THIS TIME Life & Science SLOT WILL BE SLOT WILL BE of Dr. Marion 73 min 89 min CHOSEN AT CHOSEN AT 73 min 4:15pm Diamond THE FESTIVAL THE FESTIVAL 62 min

Note: Shaded area indicates films also shown on Saturday Gulf Islands Secondary School, 112 Rainbow Road

• Bring your own water bottles. There are two drinking • You will be sitting on plastic classroom chairs, or rental fountains onsite and water stations available. chairs. You can bring your own cushion or rent one from the Grandmothers To Grandmothers booth. Daily cushion rental • Bring your own coffee cups for coffee or hot beverages. is for a minimum $2.00 donation, and supports the Stephen • Vacate the screening room before the start of the next film. Lewis Foundation. They also offer free cushion parking - if • Quiet in the hallways is appreciated so as not to disturb you have to leave the building they’ll store it, you can pick it other film viewers. up when you return. • Please refrain from wearing strong scents. • This is a cash-only event. There is no bank machine on site. Left On Purpose Maya Angelou: And Justin Schein and David Mehlman, Still I Rise USA, 2015, 85 mins Bob Hercules, Rita Coburn Whack, Mayer Vishner, brilliant and USA, 2016, 112 mins witty, after early years behind- Best known as a poet and writer, the-scenes in peace and human Maya Angelou was passionately rights activism, building giants engaged in life. As a singer, for those causes, is now asserting dancer, actor and activist she his right to choose the time of his challenged perceptions and death. Justin Schein engages him insisted on fierce, honest yet as the subject of his film, partly lyrical communication. Her to persuade Mayer that he still autobiography I Know Why has much to offer society, and so save him. In the process, the film the Caged Bird Sings shone light on the experience of growing up shows the arguments on both sides of this right. Mayer, a powerful poor and black in southern USA. Rare archival photos and videos advocate for his position, has an answer for every point raised. As a enhance the interviews with those who knew her, but the heart of friend says, “You can only be saved if you want to be saved.“ the film is the warm, funny and open account by Dr. Angelou herself. Saturday March 4 4:15pm Fernwood Filmmakers Bob Hercules & Rita Coburn Whack interviewed her just in time: she died shortly after. Saturday March 4 10:00am Erskine

The Memory Of Fish My Love Affair With The Jennifer Galvin, USA, 2015, 54 mins Brain: The Life & Science A life-time of heroic work by the unassuming Dick Goin inspires of Dr Marion Diamond Catherine Ryan, Gary Weimberg, this film. It follows his steadfast USA, 2015, 62 mins efforts for the restoration of the Dr. Marion Diamond grabs king salmon to the Washington our interest immediately, as State Elwha River―his response she opens a lady-like flowered to the ninety per cent depletion hatbox and pulls out a human of the fish population caused by brain. A delightfully warm and the thirty-three metre dam built passionate teacher, she is eager without fish passages in 1913. to pass the spark of curiosity and discovery to everyone. In 1949 His account of the impact on the life-cycle of the salmon and, more she became the first female graduate student in the anatomy broadly on the habitat created by hidden interconnectedness in the department at Berkley. Undeterred by masculine resistance, she nature around him, underscores the beauty that the dam destroyed. obtained her PhD and went on to make several brilliant pioneering The film captures the beauty restored by Dick’s constancy. discoveries about the brain. In her eighties, her face still glows with Director Jennifer Galvin in attendance. joy as she enthuses “Don’t you just love the brain?” After watching With Xwaaqw’um: Welcome Home this multi-award-winning film, you, too, will say yes! Saturday March 4 10:00am Vesuvius Saturday March 4 2:30pm Erskine Sunday March 5 4:15pm Fernwood My Scientology Movie Obit John Dower, UK, 2016, 99 mins Vanessa Gould, USA, 2016, 96 mins In recent years a number of film The title Obit suggests a film makers and writers have worked about death. It is in fact a to capture the experiences of witty two-fold celebration of those who have fled the Church life: at first in the lives of the of Scientology. In doing so, all deceased as remembered in parties involved have been met the obituaries of the New York with a variety of threatening Times; subsequently, in the lives actions from the organization. of the reporters. The film follows Film maker Louis Theroux’s Bruce Weber as he collects the experience was no different. In information later to be shaped an attempt to recreate some of the disciplinary practices used in into a narrative that will cast light on a life and do justice to a ‘stilled Scientology to control its members, (the E-meter, bull-bait and the voice’. Gould interweaves the work routine with reflections from Hole), Mr. Theroux holds a casting call, and gets more visitors than those ‘making a living handling death’ to reveal their humour and he expected. His is an original approach to exposing this powerful quiet grace with a timeless craft. cult. Saturday March 4 12:30pm Tuam Sunday March 5 10:00am Maxwell Playing Lecuona Power To Change: Juan Manuel Villar Betancort, Pavel The Energy Rebellion Giroud, Spain, Cuba, 2015, 110 mins Carl-A Fechner, Germany, 2015, 94 mins In Playing Lecuona, Pavel Giroud If you are down in the dumps and Juan Manuel Villar Betancort about our planet’s future this pay a visual and aural artistic film will be a tonic - it conveys tribute to Ernesto Lecuona hope and excitement. Power to through the cinematography Change is an impressive plea of Santiago Torres and the for swift implementation of the very best of Latin America’s energy revolution, with stirring pianists playing his music - city stories of battling pioneers, of soundscapes, or fusions of Afro-Cuban rhythms or Flamenco with amateur tinkerers, of people like you and me, of innovative and Latin Jazz. The exuberance and ecstasy in the playing of Chucho surprising technologies. It’s a film about a great vision – and the Valdes in Havana, of Michael Camilo in New York, and of Gonzalo people turning it into reality: the rebels of our day. So far, fossil fuels Rubalcaba in Seville and the insights into musicianship that they and nuclear power are carrying on as before. From now on, the share are a true delight. As Michael Camilo says, ‘Lecuona must be future of world energy lies in decentralized, clean supplies stemming listening from heaven’. We are right there with him. Spanish with 100% from renewable sources. English subtitles German with English subtitles Sunday March 5 10:00am Fernwood Sunday March 5 12:30pm Erskine

Quebec My Country Reset Mon Pays Thierry Demaizière, Alban Teurlai, John Walker, Canada, 2016, 90 mins France, 2016, 110 mins Quebec My Country Mon Paris Opera Ballet, bastion Pays follows the aftermath of of autocratic leadership and Quebec’s Quiet Revolution in traditional ballet, is about to the 1960s. This social justice change. Benjamin Millepied, movement unleashed dramatic best known outside the ballet cultural and political changes world as the choreographer for that led to the separatist the film Black Swan, has been movement, the FLQ terrorist selected as the new director. crisis and, ultimately, the exodus of more than 500,000 English- Trying to avoid conflict, he speaking Quebecers. Like so many Anglophones, the filmmaker’s gathers young dancers who are thrilled to find a new way of creating family travelled down the 402 to Toronto in the late 70’s, exiled by ballet. Reset follows the creative process in fascinating detail, from a shifting economy and a political climate inhospitable to English- Millepied’s first tentative responses to the music, through his speaking Quebecers. Montreal-born filmmaker John Walker reveals juggling of art and bureaucracy (“Where is Benjamin?” his secretary his own complicated relationship with the province in a film constantly moans), to stunning rehearsal footage and the glorious brimming with love and longing. finished ballet, Clear, Loud, Bright, Forward. Saturday March 4 4:15pm Bruce French with English subtitles Sunday March 5 2:30pm Erskine Saturday March 4 10:00am Maxwell RiverBlue Salero Roger Williams, Canada, 2015, 95 mins Mike Plunkett, USA, 2015, 76 mins The fashion industry’s The Salar de Uyuni is the detrimental effects on humanity world’s largest salt flat, shown can no longer be denied. here poetically in all its strange Chemical-intensive washes, perfection. For generations, dying processes, bleaching, Bolivians have collected and and fabric printing can involve processed the salt laboriously by heavy metals, including lead hand. Moises is one of the last and mercury, which factories of these traditional saleros. He often discharge into rivers. The is happy with the work and the wastewater changes both the eerie beauty of the landscape, colour and smell of rivers, sometimes into a reeking, oozing mass. proud to live in harmony with this odd land. But his wife and brother Mark Angelo, notable river conservationist, has researched some yearn for change. And it seems change is inevitable. Valuable lithium solutions. Around the world are new technologies, which allow deposits have been discovered under the salt flats, and the Bolivian for jeans production without the requisite of water or toxins to government is eager to exploit them to boost the country’s meagre create a similar look. A call to action is required for making change economy. Spanish with English subtitles and advocating solutions for a sustainable, eco-friendly fashion Sunday March 5 2:30pm Bruce production. Director Roger Williams in attendance. Saturday March 4 12:30pm Vesuvius Shadow World Show Me What You Johan Grimonprez, Belgium, Denmark, Care About 2016, 94 mins Brianne Nettelfield, Naomi Mark, Based on the 2011 book “The Canada, 2016, 50 mins Shadow World: Inside the Global Urban living can be isolating and Arms Trade” by South African lonely. Or people can be content writer Andrew Feinstein, and on to interact only within their own a series of articles published in small group of like-minded folk. the Guardian by David Leigh, this Brianne Nettelfield and Naomi film primarily aims its sights on Mark wanted to create a vehicle the United States and England, for people to find connection in targeting US Presidents from new directions. Just being in the same place does not create true Reagan to Obama, British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and interaction. Nor does every day chit-chat. Meaningful relatedness is Tony Blair, and the families who control Saudi Arabia. The film, co- created through knowing what a person really cares about. Hearing written by director Johan Grimonprez and Mr. Feinstein, presents someone talk about their passion can change us. This lovely film tells the argument that there is a fortune to be made by the West’s “war us some of the “thousand little stories that, once shared, become on terror”. English, Spanish, Arabic, with English subtitles experiences that shape us.” With Welcome To Canada. Saturday March 4 12:30pm Maxwell Directors Brianne Nettelfield & Naomi Mark in attendance. Sunday March 5 12:30pm Vesuvius

Sonita Their Land: Last of the Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami, Iran, Caribou Herd 11 mins Germany, Switzerland, 2015, 90 mins Birds of the Okanagan: A She was an Afghan refugee on Vanishing Legacy 7 mins the streets of Tehran, having fled the Taliban when she was Badgers of 100 Mile 6 mins ten years old. Sonita was so shy, Isabelle Groc, Mike McKinlay, she could barely speak, yet she Canada, 2016, 25 mins found a way to read and write. Their Land: Last of the Caribou Herd In the face of imminent extinction, First In a land where women are Nations communities are taking extreme measures to save their last caribou herds forbidden to sing or listen to in the South Peace region of Northern BC, where logging, oil, gas and coal extraction industries have significantly altered the landscape. music, she wanted to become a Birds of the Okanagan: A Vanishing Legacy Birder, biologist and author Dick rapper. When it was time for her to be sold into marriage, she asked Cannings searches for birds at risk in his home region of the Okanagan, the most the film-maker to buy her, and get her into the studio. She “had a diverse place for breeding birds in North America. million things to say”. For a young woman with no birth certificate, Badgers of 100 Mile Persecuted by landowners, run over by cars, displaced by no passport and no future, the impossible happened. urban development, the American badger is one of BC’s most endangered mammals, English, Persian, Dari, with English subtitles with less than 300 animals left in the province. Scientists are learning what it takes to Saturday March 4 4:15pm Vesuvius conserve this little - known species. With Bluefin. Director Isabelle Groc in attendance. Saturday March 4 2:30pm Vesuvius Tickling Giants The Uncondemned Sara Taksler, USA, Egypt, 2016, 111 mins Michele Mitchell, Nick Louvell, When Doctor Bassam Youssef USA, 2016, 81 mins turns to humour and satire to Can a film about rape, war awaken the Egyptian people and justice also inspire? The to true freedom of speech, answer is yes when we meet he shows them an alternative a group of Rwandan village to bloodshed as a tool for women who voiced the truth revolution. Through his television of what happened during the series, he becomes acclaimed as 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Their Egypt’s Jon Stewart, critiquing suffering is grievous but their the increasing absurdity in the fight for justice under sometimes behaviours of the so-called democratic governments following dangerous circumstances is astonishing. Their testimony led to an Hosni Moubarak’s fall. Likewise, to create that same awareness in important historical moment: the first international prosecution an international audience, Tickling Giants uses that humour but and conviction of rape as a crime of war. Along the way wethe with a feather light touch. The message of hope, as always, lies in accused and a cast of villagers, researchers, lawyers, advocates collaborative and inventive spirits, this time behind his tv show and and high powered judges. At centre stage the women of Taba who Taksler’s film. demonstrate the possibility of transformation. Saturday March 4 10:00am Tuam Saturday March 4 2:30pm Bruce Welcome To Canada Where The Universe Adam Loften, Mary Fowles, Canada, Sings: The Spiritual 2016, 19 mins Journey of Lawren Harris This short film tells the story of Peter Raymond, Nancy Lang, Mohammed Alsaleh, a young Canada, 2016, 90 mins Syrian refugee granted asylum Lawren Harris is perhaps the best in Canada in 2014. After fleeing known of the Group of Seven torture and imprisonment by the painters, and currently the most Assad regime, he is rebuilding his valued by art collectors. His iconic life. Mohammed counsels newly- images of mountains and lakes arrived Syrian refugee families transcend representative art, with the same Vancouver-based NGO that aided him during his own becoming (as admirer Steve Martin says) “the theory of a mountain... resettlement process. Like Mohammed, these families have left the Idea of North”. But Harris moved on from even that simplicity of loved ones behind and are struggling to adapt to a new land, finding form to completely abstract art in a quest to convey his ideas about resilience and hope for a new beginning. And like thousands of other spirituality. Harris’ encounters with theosophy left him “in great newly resettled refugees, Mohammed is also been striving to bring need of losing my littleness, and sharing completely in the life of the his family to safety in Canada. universe”. His words and his magnificent art take us on his journey. With Show Me What You Care About. Saturday March 4 12:30pm Erskine Sunday March 5 12:30pm Vesuvius Sunday March 5 10:00am Tuam Xwaaqw’um: Yarn Welcome Home Una Lorenzen, Iceland, 2016, 76 mins Ali Harris, Canada, 2016, 5 mins A playfulness happens when Last August, on the beach at yarn is taken out of the house Xwaaqw’um, also known at and knitted into monumental Burgoyne Bay, hundreds of people equipment for children and came together to witness the first circuses, put into parks, used raising of Coast Salish poles on to transform people in the Salt Spring Island since European ocean, and brighten street walls contact. In this gentle and moving and lamp-posts. In Yarn, the short film, a drumbeat holds us playfulness becomes rhapsodic while Ron George sings and the elders speak and we witness together when it is coupled with the light touch in the music of Örn Eldjàrn the slow and steady transformations in relationship that are happening and Samuel Andersson and in the experimental animation of Una in this place and feel the hope flowing from that. “The land is coming Lorenzen. The lightness of touch in the artists involved with yarn on to life.” and off screen gives play the power to communicate unexpectedly With The Memory Of Fish. unified messages from places as disparate as Japan, Italy, Poland, Saturday March 4 10:00am Vesuvius and Iceland. English, Icelandic with English subtitles. Sunday March 5 12:30pm Fernwood

2016 Festival

Jim Meadows, Selwyn Jacob, Diane Thomas. Ninth Floor Social Justice Bazaar & Intermission Cafe 2016 Food

A weekend of great film is once again being paired with great food, all locally sourced for your eating pleasure. The providers of this wonderful fare include Jana’s Bake Shop, Coco Loco Café and Laughing Daughter’s Gluten Free Foods.

On Saturday and Sunday come visit us at the Intermission Café in the Multi-Purpose Room, where you will find yummy breakfast goodies, savoury luncheon choices and of course, more delicious snacks to round out the day. All served fresh, sometimes warm and always with a smile. Freshly made coffee will again be provided by Ometepe Coffee on Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday night you will find the Intermission Cafe on the lower level with the same good eats and your choice of freshly brewed Salt Spring Coffee, Salt Spring Water and/or a nice cup of tea. Bring your own mug, glass or water bottle if you want to help us cut down on waste and help the planet!

We are again very thankful to all our suppliers for their participation and generous discounts which help us raise funds for the annual operation of the Film Festival.

If your desire is for hot food or a salad bar, the GISS cafeteria will be providing meal service on Friday from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm and lunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. The GISS Cafeteria proceeds go towards their own special projects which over the years have included the greenhouse, meat smoker and salad food cart.

2016 Festival

Festival Food Selwyn Jacob, Jennifer Abbott, John Bolton, Pete Clarkson, Ali Harris, Joe Akerman, Daniel J Pierce. Filmmaker guests 2016

Opening night 2016 Cowboy Smithx & Chris Hsiung, Elder In The Making FESTIVAL DONORS PATRONS SUPPORTERS 1 Anonymous Birgit & Robert Bateman Lyle & Jane Petch Jean Elder Audrey & Bob Wild BENEFACTORS Elaine Head & Bruce Logan Eileen Wttewaall Susan Bloom Caroline Hickman Julie Young 1 Anonymous John Moore 2 anonymous Terry Nelson & Karen Selk FRIENDS Michael Butler & Robin Ferry David Hart David Paine & Dan Dickmeyer Matthew & Phyllis Coleman Wendy & Ashley Hilliard Lynne Raymond & Arthur Black Rosamonde & Patrick Dupuy Charles Kahn & Judy Norget Greg Spendjian & Donna Cochran Frances Eide Wendy Kaye John & Ann Stewart Susan & Lyle Eide Juliette Laing Mary Toynbee Mary & Peter Grove Peter Lamb & Jean Gelwicks 2 anonymous Donna Hall & Ron Watts Derek Lundy

Media Partners Grants We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia TNT SIGNS.CA · GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS

BCArtsCouncil_CMYK_pos for white background 4 colour printing

BCArtsCouncil_PMS179_pos for white background 2 (or more) colour printing

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BCArtsCouncil_BW_rev for dark coloured background Volunteers 4 colour printing Thank you to all of the volunteers who help make this Festival happen. We’re so grateful for the time you give to selecting films, creating publicity materials, designing the website, fundraising, transforming the high school into a six-cinema BCArtsCouncil_BW_pos for white background multiplex, decorating the venue, serving food, projecting films, providingsingle technical colour printing support, welcoming Festival-goers - the tasks seem endless! Thank goodness we have so many dedicated volunteers in our community - thank you one and all.

BCArtsCouncil_BW_rev Salt Spring Social Justice Bazaar Participants for dark background single colour printing Canadian Federation of University Women Island Pathways Salt Spring Senior Services Society Climate Action Group IWAV SOLID Community Energy Group Options For Sexual Health SWOVA Electric Vehicles Group Raging Grannies Transition Salt Spring Friday Harbour Film Festival Salt Spring Agricultural Alliance Water Preservation Society GLOSSI Salt Spring Foundation Wilderness Committee Grandmothers To Grandmothers Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Island Natural Growers Salt Spring Search & Rescue Presenting Sponsor Gala Sponsor Subsidized Filmmakers Filmmakers t Spring Isla Sal nd Passes Sponsor Series Reception

I sl 72 an 19 de ce rs S sin erving Islanders

Major Sponsors

Benefactors

Salt Spring Books Dr Bob McGinn Family Dentistry

l aughing daughters gluten free foods inc.

www.laughingdaughters.com Salt Spring Island, BC.

DON ROMANCHUK Supporters owner 250-930-2412 Cell 778-977-0527 [email protected] www.laughingdaughters.com

We Make Gluten-Free Worry Free

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Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice Flour, Organic Amaranth COOKIEFlouSr, Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar, Tapioca Flour, Salted Butter, Xanthan Gum, Fruit Topping; (Apricots or Raspberries , Sugar, Golden Sugar, Concentrated Lemon APRICOT/RASPBEJuice,RR Fruit PeYctin).

AUNTIE PESTO’S CAFE