Green Films

Toxics Double Feature

Friday, March 7, 2008 7:30 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.)
911 Media Arts Center
402 9th Avenue N, Seattle (South Lake Union) directions

$5 admission

Up Close and Toxic (45 minutes)

The great indoors is not as safe as we’ve been lulled into thinking. Toxicologists have found that the levels of most indoor air pollutants exceed those found outdoors - even in our most polluted cities. We know very little about the long term or cumulative effects of our indoor exposure. Cleaning products, pesticides, paint dust, lead particles in the carpet, plastic toys…UP CLOSE AND TOXIC provides an informative wake-up call in an entertaining manner, makes the sources of indoor pollution easy to understand, and provides tips for safer practices, materials, and cleaning agents.

Our guides are:

• Dr. Richard Corsi, University of Texas at Austin, who is an expert on indoor air quality.
• Dr. Donna Mergler, University of Quebec in Montreal, who is working on the identification of early physiological and neurological changes related to exposure to neurotoxic substances.
• Dr. John Roberts who is a healthy home engineer and an expert on dust.

Reviews:

"This program is a wake-up call for those of us who silently believe that any environmental pollution posing health hazards must come from the outdoors…The well organized and scientifically accurate material is presented in an entertaining format to appeal to a general audience, as well as those who are scientifically inclined." Best Science Films, Science

Awards:

• Selected One of the Best Science Films from the Past Five Years, Science Books & Films
• Nominated for Best Science, Technology, Nature, Environment or Adventure Documentary, The Gemini Awards (Canadian Emmy)
• Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
• The Green Film Festival, Washington DC

Playing with Poison (46 minutes)

The Yaqui Valley is one of Mexico’s largest agricultural areas, providing much of North America’s fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also home to neighboring towns in which children exhibit significant and disturbing neurological differences. Playing with Poison investigates this phenomenon and its relevance to children across North America. Playing with Poison follows U.S. anthropologist Dr. Elizabeth Guillette as she meets with eminent laboratory scientists in her search for corroboration and possible solutions.

Awards:

• The Chris Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
• Certificate of Merit, Chicago International Television Awards
• Second Place in Category, EarthVision Environmental Film Festival
• Vermont International Film Festival
• Olympia Environmental Film Festival
• Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival

Reviews:

"Timely and chilling…explores potentially dangerous side-effects of weed- and bug-killers for children, whether the source is massive aerial spraying on farm crops, your neighbor’s weed-killer or household bug-repellent…spotlights ground-breaking work by Elizabeth Guillette, an American anthropologist, nurse, mother, and grandmother." Peggy Curran, The Montreal Gazette

Past Green Films topics

• February 1, 2008: The Shaman’s Apprentice and Thomas Berry: The Great Story
• January 4, 2008: Greenpeace: Making a Stand, screening and discussion
• December 14, 2007: Arid Lands, screening and discussion with co-director Josh Wallaert
• October 11, 2007: What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire, screening and discussion with the filmmakers
• May 4, 2007: Sustainable Design and Style
• March 2, 2007: Reducing our Ecological Footprint
• February 2, 2007: Sustainable Solutions
• January 5, 2007: Blueprint for a Bikeable City
• December 1, 2006: Transforming City Spaces and Landscapes
• November 3, 2006: Cuba: A Story of Sustainability