Film focusing on the battle to preserve old-growth forests to premiere at Whistler Film Fest
The documentary Before They Fall explores the relationships that Indigenous people, conservationists and climate scientists have with the endangered old-growth forests on Vancouver Island.
The 40-minute film was produced by Victoria-based filmmakers Ecologyst Films in spring 2021. The documentary’s producer says the film addresses concerns over continued logging of ancient forests in B.C. and the issue of land rights facing Vancouver Island’s First Nations.
“When we looked deeper into it, there is the issue that the (B.C.) government is giving land away to companies that isn’t theirs,” said Before They Fall producer Momme Halbe.
“That is really the underlying issue with old-growth logging here on Vancouver Island, because licenses are being given out on lands that shouldn’t be given out,” he said. “They are unceded territories of Indigenous Nations and they have never ceded their land and this is something that people in British Columbia need to understand.”
The Ecologyst film crew explored stands of old-growth forest on the ancestral lands Ma’amtagila First Nation on northern Vancouver Island and the traditional territories of the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nations on southern Vancouver Island.
“We felt we needed to talk to the people who have been working on the frontlines for a very long time and understand what the issue really is,” said Halbe. “For us, its important that we elevate voices that otherwise are not heard and predominately those are Indigenous voices.”
One of those voices is Chief Makwala (Rande Cook) of the Ma’amtagila First Nation. He says the documentary is important because it allows all voices to come together to express concern for what is happening in the natural environment on Vancouver Island.
“We have lived on the land for thousands of years and even though we have been removed and pushed away from a lot of our traditional territories and onto reserves, we still heavily rely on the land,” said Chief Makwala. “For me as an Indigenous person, I can draw on an ancient philosophical perspective that we’ve lived in for thousands of years and if I can share that with non-indigenous people and welcome them … it shows the collaboration and it shows unity on the work that needs to be done. And that is the act of reconciliation, when we put the needs of the planet first because we need to start thinking of the next 100 years forward for the betterment of the next generations.”
The documentary also touches on possible solutions to the issues surrounding the continued harvesting of endangered old-growth forests. The film explores the potential of transitioning away from old-growth in future logging and the need for Indigenous sovereignty on traditional territories of Vancouver Island First Nations.
“The film for us is important, but it’s even more important that the message gets out,” said Halbe. “I think we see logging as an industry that we need to sustain and while that is true that we need jobs for people, we’ve also got to evolve the industry to higher standards, which is simply not happening.”
Before They Fall will make its world premiere at the Whistler Film Festival on Dec. 3. For more information, visit the Ecologyst Films website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.