The 18th DC Environmental Film Festival is underway in venues all over Washington DC. This year's festival has a particular focus on the relationship between our food and the environment. Since the festival has already begun, here are my picks for the remaining films.
Sweet Crude. This is a documentary. Nigeria's underground oil reserves influence all sorts of sociological conditions including poverty and wealth, political turmoil, environmental considerations and international relations. This will be shown in the space formerly known as Visions! Friday March 19th at 6:30pm. AED Globe Theater. 1927 Florida Ave NW.
Nora!. Owner and originator of DC's own Restaurant Nora is the focus of this food centered flick. Nora Pouillon opened the namesake establishment in the 70s, but in 1999 became the first in the U.S. to be certified organic. She is considered a pioneer of sorts in the local food movement. Pouillon will be present at this screening and will discuss the film afterward. Tuesday March 23rd at 7:00pm. International Student House. 1825 R Street NW.
Megamall. Uses actual archival film footage and other documents to tell the story, of, well, a suburban mega mall in upstate New York. We've all been to one of these places at least once. They seem to be going the way of the dinosaur nowadays; replaced with "lifestyle" centers or outdoor town-center type developments. Thursday March 25th at 6:30pm. National Building Museum. 401 F Street NW.
Auto*Mat. The film tries to answer two simple questions "Do we rule the city, or does the city reign over us? Are we becoming automats?" I'll leave it at that. Thursday March 25th at 7:00pm. The Embassy of the Czech Republic . 3900 Spring of Freedom St NW (off of Tilden near Van Ness).
River of Hope: Welcome to our City, Mr. President. The National Geographic Society had a hand in this documentary. Filmed from the perspective of the youth which it chronicles, River of Hope tells the story of DC residents who work to better the condition of the Anacostia River while participating in last year's Inauguration. The timing presents an opportunity for the youth to recruit the President to get on board fixing this local river in a federal city. Saturday March 27th at 2:30pm. Carnegie Institution. 1530 P Street NW.
