A rich tale of a young indigenous scientist’s struggle for truth between science and tradition as he enters an industry that many feel is threatening his homeland. His complex journey through the inner workings of GMO chemical companies and traditional Hawaiian elders reveals ancient values that can save our future.
To feed all the humans on the planet, we are going to have to grow as much food in the next 35 years as we have grown since the beginning of civilization.
But our conventional agricultural practices are depleting the earth’s natural resources faster than we are replenishing them. Not to mention that the pros and cons of most attempts at modern chemical solutions (pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, GMOs) continue to be heavily debated by scientists, policy makers, industrial heavyweights and community activists.
How are we going to feed the world without destroying the planet we live on?
ISLAND EARTH brings this question to life by taking us on the ground to Hawaii, the “ground zero” where all of these issues collide in sharp relief. Less than two centuries ago, native Hawaiians fed their large population through some of the most historically sustainable agricultural practices ever documented. Yet modern-day Hawaii now imports 80-90% of their food supply from elsewhere in the world, due to a complex web of public policy and private interests. Within two generations, the Hawaiians have become canaries in the coalmine for food issues that are affecting the entire planet.
Island Earth captures our moment in time, where two separate paths are being forged at once: one that builds upon the past in the name of progress, and the other that rejects the past in the name of progress. It bears witness to the choices that we are making today that will affect our future no matter what.
Visit www.islandearthfilm.com for more information and photos.
Byron Bay Surf Festival screening at the Byron Bay Community Centre, Saturday Feb 25th, 12:15-1:45pm. Filmmaker Cyrus Sutton Interviewed at screening.
Followed by:
Bangalow A&I Hall screening Thursday March 2nd. Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm screening, Q&A with filmmaker Cyrus Sutton following screening.
Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall screening Sunday March 5th. Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm screening, Q&A with filmmaker Cyrus Sutton following screening.
About Cyrus Sutton
Cyrus Sutton is an Emmy-winning filmmaker based near Portland, Oregon. At 23 Cyrus won an Emmy for his writing and cinematography on Next Wave: A Tsunami Relief Story for Fox Fuel TV. Today he serves as director of media at Guayaki Yerba Mate and continues to pursue his documentary filmmaking career.
What are some easy next steps we can take to get involved? “For me it’s been a process of learning about organizations in my local area that are committed to providing for the basic needs of my community in ways that are beneficial to the land and our health. Permaculture and regenerative agriculture organizations have really inspired me by their creative solutions based ways of thought.
