Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/12/2019
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Categories No Categories
FILM LOGLINE
Four Indigenous environmental leaders embark on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Canadian plains to deep into the heart of the Amazonian jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America and deepen the meaning of “Climate Justice”. .
SHORT SYNOPSYS
Energy companies are actively planning to triple Canadian tar sands (world’s largest industrial project) production in the coming years, which would mean “game over” for climate change. Such an increase in production is possible if the planned pipelines are actually built and permitted in the US and Canada. Our four protagonists live alongside the pipeline routes. The Condor & The Eagle brings to light the major role played by Indigenous women in the build-up of the Environmental Justice Movement.
Melina Laboucan-Massimo and Bryan Parras’s lands were devastated by the oil industry and it has remained an acceptable secret, with no coverage from the media, and limited support from their governments. Even as her people were dying in the Alberta tar sands, Melina’s sister was recently murdered: violence against the Earth, begets violence against women. This tragic event set into motion her quest for justice, which will lead her half way across the globe. Bryan has always lived in the energy capital of the world, Houston. He grew up uprooted from his Indigenous origins until the day he met with other Indigenous people who vowed to bring back respect for the land and ancient cultures. So begins his journey to rediscover his true self, the meaning of being Indigenous.
We follow our protagonists as they develop a resistance strategy that matches the level of their opponents – taking their effort to South America (main character is Patricia Gualinga from the community of Sarayaku), Europe and beyond. Their task is to make local battles an International concern and finally expose criminal corporations responsible for serious crimes.
URGENCY
While the Amazon rainforest has been on fire for many weeks, UN climate scientists are predicting unprecedented global catastrophe. “The Condor & The Eagle” features Indigenous leaders, from the global North and the global South deploying an unparalleled joint and coordinated global response. Facing this overwhelming current political climate, a great many people are looking for answers that are adapted to today’s urgency. Our film and campaign show tangible actions “anybody” can take, inviting white and privileged people to follow the call from Indigenous communities
Most of our work focuses on America energy hotspots that are the tar sands in Alberta and Houston industries. As Fossil Fuel developments get out of control (largest-ever open pit tar sands mine is quietly making its way through a government review – dramatic impacts of climate change on Houston and the Gulf), some of the most bio diverse places in South America are being sold to oil companies (Sarayaku, Sapara, Yasuni, Rio Tigre, etc.). The urgency is real and our film and campaign will make sure that these large-scale destructive projects are made public and lift up the voices of resistance from North and South America.
INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE
We are putting a public spotlight on Indigenous women leaders advocating for change towards a sustainable future and pushing for the enforcement of their rights. Unlike many environmental projects, ours does not preach to the choir but reaches out to “new communities”, targets white middle class regions (with no Indigenous knowledge) and opens up critical intercultural dialogues – all the while using a “fun” approach and organizing festive events. Our work holds the potential to amplify their voices, educate and shift public opinion, mobilize new communities and coordinate urgent joint actions.
