Films: February 19-21, 2009

Thursday, 7 PM First United
The War on Democracy (94min) 2007
Pilger shows the US pretense at ‘spreading democracy,’is actually waging war on it. He argues that true popular
democracy is most likely among the poor of Latin America. Venezuela’s President Chavez and former CIA
officials are interviewed. Writer, Director: John Pilger; Bullfrog Films Discussion: Peter Prontzos, Professor of Political Science, Langara College

Friday, 7 PM First United
The Art of the Rain Forests (24min) 2005
Nature’s symphony is contrasted with human cacophony, no words necessary. Producer and Distributor: Richard Boyce Power Play: Theft of BC Rivers (20 min) 2008 BC Hydro’s cheap power and profits benefitting the
public were supplanted by private corporations’ gain. Damien Gillis; Slingshot Communications

YOUTH FILM
FRIDAY 1:00-3:00 pm White Rock Public Library
“Slacker Uprising”
An attempt to turn out young US voters to defeat “W” Bush in 2004 failed to defeat Bush, but energized the youth voice and vote with continuing consequences. Producer: Michael Moore; Free Download

Saturday 9:30 AM First United
Gardens of Destiny (75min) 2007)
Jocelyn Demers meets Dan Jason, an organic gardener on Salt Spring Island and head of the Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada which preserves plant diversity. Issues include genetic engineering, terminator seeds, industrial agriculture, and benefits of organic foods Distributor: Salt Springs Seeds Discussion with film maker Jocelyn Demers

Saturday 9:30 PM Salvation Army
Killing Us Softly 3 (34min) 2001
Jean Kilbourne analyzes the destructive depiction of women that still exists in advertising. The objectification of the female body , tyranny of the thin ‘beauty ideal,’ sexualization of young girls and the infantilization of grown women are portrayed. Producer/Distributor: Media Education Foundation Discussion with the Rev. Joan McMurtry

Saturday 9:30 Salvation Army
China Blue (88min) 2005
Living and working under harsh conditions, teenagers in China work for a pittance to make blue jeans for Western companies, which make the real profits. Do you know where your blue jeans come from? Producer: Teddy Bear Films; Distributor: Bullfrog Films Discussion with Vas Guaratna of the Unite Union

Saturday, 1 PM First United
Five Ring Circus (87 min) 2007
This film exposes a less glamourous side of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, examining how commitments to environmental, social, and economic sustainability have not been kept, leading to the current unraveling events.
Distributor: Rag Tag Productions Discussion with Producer Conrad Schmidt

Saturday 1 PM Salvation ARmy
The Story of Stuff (26 min) 2005
Ads push consumers into acquiring products deliberately destined for the dump. Annie Leonard; Producer ‘Free Range Studios’ Debt Trap (38min) year Revised 2008 Urged to ‘shop till we drop,’ consumer debt pushes bankruptcies, job and home losses to new heights. Solutions to escape the trap. Writer and Director: David Adkin Discussion with Credit Counseling Society

Saturday 1 PM Salvation Army
Bevel Up (45min) 2007
Street nurses reaching out to youth, sex workers, and others living in Vancouver’s inner city reflect on attitudes needed to provide practical and compassionate health care. Producer: BC Centre for Disease Control and National Film Board; Supported by Health Canada and BC Nurses Union Discussion James Tigchelaar, Street Nurse, BC-CDC.

Saturday 1 PM White Rock Library
Anyone and Everyone (57min) 2007
Families share accounts of gay children “coming out” and their responses. Parents reveal teen children’s pain in not being accepted by relatives, friends or religious congregations. Producer Susan Polis Schutz; Distributor Blue Mountain Arts Discussion with Steve Mulligan of Learning Services

Saturday 3 PM First United
Who Killed the Electric Car (92min) 2006
General Motors fleet of EV-1 electric cars were efficient. The film unravels the demise of a vehicle that could have saved the environment and America’s addiction to oil. Director: Chris Paine; Distributor: Sony Discussion with Michael Seal, former professor Engineering Technology & Director of Vehicular Research Institute, Western Washington University

Saturday, 3 PM Salvation Army
Super Amigos (82min) 2007
Unexpected people get involved in social issues. Five Mexican wrestlers climb out of the ring to take on tenant evictions, cruelty to animals, homophobia, and environmental awareness. Director: Arturo Perez Torres; Distributor: Horizon MotionPictures Discussion with Jessie Scharz of Greenpeace.


Saturday 3 PM Salvation Army
Venezuela Rising (66min) 2006
After centuries of indifference to the poor, Venezuela now has a government addressing basic food, housing, medical, and educational needs, as people organize to protect gains. A movement towards democracy affecting all Latin America. Producer: Alvin Bailey; Distributor: Nuestra America Productions Discussion with Carlos Bracons, World Festival of Youth and Students

Saturday 3 PM White Rock Library
The Political Dr. Seuss (80min) 2004
Theodor Seuss Geisel used parables to fight illiteracy, greed, bigotry, conformity, the arms race, and environmental destruction. His sometimes banned art and ‘children’s’ stories ridicule hypocrites, bullies and demagogues. Producer/Director/Writer/Narrator: Ron Lamothe; Distributor: Terra Incognita Films Discussion with Smitty Miller, Children’s Librarian with Fraser Valley Regional Library

SATURDAY First United Church 7:00 pm
Pete Seeger: The Power of Song (93 min) 2007
Nostalgic and inspiring biography of an environmentalist, justice and peace activist, as well as a famous folk singer/song writer. Director: Jim Brown; Producer: CPI and PBS/Thirteen’s ‘American Masters’Appearing are Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Peter, Paul, and Mary and others. Pre-show banjo player and singer Tom Neighbour