“The world will be saved by beauty,” wrote Dostoevsky, who is quoted in the prophetic film, The Wisdom to Survive, the latest film in the Forward Focus Series to be screened on Saturday, January 10 at 7 PM at the Gallery.
A stirring call-to-arms, The Wisdom to Survive juxtaposes the stunning beauty, diversity and inter-connectedness of the natural world, with the soulless, perpetual growth machine of capitalism. It explores how unlimited growth and greed are destroying the life support system of the planet, the social fabric of the society, and the lives of billions of people. It asks the question; “Will we have the wisdom to survive?”
The film is compelling and hopeful at a time when we are bombarded by dystopian visions of the future. Thought leaders and activists in the realms of science, economics and spirituality discuss how we can evolve and take action in the face of climate disruption. Bill McKibben, Joanna Macy and others are featured in this deeply moving and profoundly engaging documentary, which provides visions of how we could live in the midst of massive environmental challenges.
The visuals are stunning. The message is clear: we are connected by our shared grief at what is happening to the Earth and by our shared hope and commitment to the future. “If you want an adventure,” says Joanna Macy in the film, “what a time to choose to be alive. Don’t waste time in self-pity over darkness. Don’t waste time trying to figure out better circumstances that you might like. You were born into this (beautiful Earth) and you are here to love it and to see that it goes on.”
There promises to be a thoughtful discussion after the film led by Gertie Jocksch, a Sister of Charity, with a Doctor of Ministry. Her passion has been her concern and care for Mother Earth. She teaches in the areas of Ecotheology and Ecofeminism and works for the Living Language Institute developing programs in Earth Literacies. She will be coming from Victoria to show the film. Donations to Earth Literacies will be gratefully accepted.
Doors open at 7 pm. Film at 7:30 pm. Discussion at 8:30 pm.
