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
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.