Film Series : White Water, Black Gold

World Community Film Series continues…
White Water, Black Gold
Tues. April 10th – 7pm – NIC Theatre, Courtenay
Admission by Donation

“White Water, Black Gold” is an investigative point-of view documentary that follows David Lavallee on his three-year journey across western Canada in search of answers about the activities of the world’s thirstiest oil industry: the Tarsands.
As a mountaineer and hiking guide, David is on the front lines of climate change. Over the past 15 years he has worked in the Columbia Icefields of the Canadian Rockies, and has noticed profound changes in the mountains: climate change is rendering these landscapes unrecognizable.

When David discovers that his province is ramping up growth in an extremely water intensive industry downstream of his beloved icefields, he is surprised he knows so little about this industry. This necessitates a journey: from icefields…to oilfields.

In the course of his journey he makes many discoveries: new science shows that water resources in an era of climate change will be increasingly scarce (putting this industry at risk); first nations people living downstream are contracting bizarre cancers; the upgrading of this oil threatens multiple river systems across Canada and the tailings ponds containing the waste by-products of the process threaten to befoul the third largest watershed in the world. Additionally, a planned pipeline across British Columbia brings fresh threats to BC Rivers and the Pacific Ocean.

“White Water, Black Gold” is a sober look at the untold costs (to water and people) associated with developing the second largest deposit of “oil” in the world.

Film Series – A Powerful Noise

Celebrate International Women’s Day with the film

A Powerful Noise

7:00 pm Tues, March 6th

North Island College Theatre in Courtenay.

(previously screened at Tribeca and Silverdocs Film Festivals)

Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam. Nada, a survivor of the Bosnian war. And Madame Urbain works the slums of Bamako, Mali. Three very different lives. Three vastly different worlds. But they share something in common: Power. These ordinary women are each overcoming deep-seated gender barriers to rise up and claim a voice in their societies.

Through their empowerment and the ability to empower others, Hanh, Nada and Madame Urbain are sparking remarkable and unprecedented changes. Fighting AIDS. Rebuilding communities. Educating girls. 

Through compelling ‘verite’-style narratives, “A Powerful Noise” takes you inside the lives of these women to witness their daily challenges and their significant victories over poverty and oppression. 

Their stories are both personal and unique, yet illustrate larger issues affecting millions of marginalized women worldwide. 

This inspiring documentary captivates viewers because it speaks to the common aspirations and the common abilities that all women share. “A Powerful Noise” is a meditation on the inherent potential of women to change the world. The impact of one voice. The power of many. 

The film screening is sponsored by the Comox Valley Transition Society and World Community. Admission by donation; no one will be turned away. For more info: 250-337-5412

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World Community Video/DVD Libraries Updated

Most of the new titles from this year’s film festival have been added to our library at the Freakin Coffeeshop (2456 Rosewall Crescent, ‘Tintown’, Courtenay. We were not able to get library circulating rights for ‘Economics of Happiness’ or ‘Happy’. In addition, the films from our 2011 festival have now completed their tour as part of our Travelling Film Festival and those films have been added to our smaller collection at Seeds Natural Food Market (2733 Dunsmuir Ave. in Cumberland). These films are for home viewing only for members of World Community but feel free to invite your friends to watch with you in your home.

If you have not renewed your membership since Feb. 1, you may do so at either Freakin Coffeeshop, Seeds Natural Food Market, or on our website click here

Memberships are $10 per year ($20 per family). This entitles you to borrow films from our library at no additional cost. Your membership supports the work we do and keeps you informed of upcoming events via occasional emails.

Look for the World Community booth at Seedy Saturday

(Sat Mar. 3rd 10am-3pm Filberg Centre, Courtenay) where you can also renew your membership.