Cinema Verde's Director Discussions

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Kristin Tieche about her film, "The Connection Between Bats and Coronavirus: Wildlife is not to blame." What exactly is the connection between bats and coronavirus? And how has sheltering-in-place disrupted field research in California and beyond? State and local governments have set restrictions on bat research and rescue in an effort to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Winifred Frick, chief scientist of Bat Conservation International, describes how the new restrictions have affected conservation efforts. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Remi Escudié about his film, "Waters of the U.S." The current administration is rolling back crucial protections for streams and wetlands across the country in a direct assault on the Clean Water Act. This incredibly beautiful film tells the story of the rivers, streams, and wetlands of Alabama to illustrate the dangers of the proposed regulation. By doing so, it shows the economic benefits, ecological health, and cultural way of life that hang in the balance. The director hails from Miami, Florida, with a strong passion for environmental advocacy. With a degree in Editing, Writing & Media from Florida State University and a background in environmental journalism, he intends to make documentaries to inspire protection wildlife and our natural resources. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Monika Koeck about her film, "A Low Carbon Future for China’s Furnace Cities". China’s economic development and rapid urbanization has led to a dramatic rise in energy consumption due to excessive heating and air-conditioning causing carbon emissions of immense proportions. China’s government has set the ambitious target of reducing CO2 emissions by 40–45% by 2020 against the 2005 baseline. A UK/China-funded team working on how to solve the problem in some of the most extreme climate regions in China. The team discovers groundbreaking solutions using computational-fluid-dynamics simulations. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Director Samuel Riley about his film, "I Am Ocean". This short film showcases the inspirational story of PT Hirschfield, who's successful 11-year battle with endometrial cancer has been fueled by her passion for scuba diving, a deep connection with the underwater world, and a mission to save the heavily persecuted wildlife at her local dive sites. The film was created for Ocean Media Institute as part of its 'I am Ocean' series documenting powerful human connections with the ocean from around the world. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with David Diaz about his film, "The Rulindo Challenge." In May 2010, Rulindo, Rwanda launched an ambitious plan to bring access to water and sanitation services to the entire district population. This film explores the story, challenges and ultimate success for reaching over 330,000 people with safe water in the rural and mountainous Rulindo District, and how this project is inspiring sustainable water (infrastructure and sanitation) models around the world.  Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Director Chris Martine about his work, "Team Schiedea: How to Save a Species From Going Extinct." Highlighting one of the coolest and most ambitious projects in the history of rare species conservation, this short film takes us to Kaua'i, Hawai'i, where a group of passionate plant people are working to save some of the rarest plants on the archipelago -- and tell us why we need a new generation of biodiversity lovers to help battle the extinction crisis. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Kate Kirby about her film, "Elephant Keeper". "Elephant Keeper" is the story of an elder indigenous mahout who is adjusting to a new job in ecotourism in the remote jungles of Sainyabuli Province, Laos. Senior mahout, Mr. Tong, arrives at the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) in search of work to support his family, and is paired with Mae Dok, the Center’s sweet and stubborn 60-year-old elephant matriarch. As he adapts to a new routine away from home, Mr. Tong finds a confidant in his elephant charge. The immersive contemplative nature of the cinematography allows the audience to feel present within the action and story in a complex narrative rich with visual metaphor and symbolism, exploring themes of Extinction & Conservation, Industrialization & Globalization, and Culture & Identity. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Mark Pedelty about his film, "LOUD." Catriona Armour's body art and a special appearance by Dana Lyons of "Cows with Guns" propel the musical narrative about noise pollution in, around, and above the Salish Sea of Washington State and British Columbia. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Director Benj Binks about his film, "Lake Victoria: An Ecosystem in Turmoil." Decades of mismanagement, environmental changes, and a burgeoning population have created tensions for the 40 million people living on the shores of the world's second-largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria. Desperate fishermen use illegal nets and overfish the East African lake's dwindling stocks, while many fishermen have had to turn to other forms of work - much of which has a detrimental impact on the health of the lake and its residents. Lake Victoria: An Ecosystem in Turmoil follows some of those trying to eek out a living on the lake: a Kenyan fisherman who illegally crosses the border into Uganda in the search for fish; a Ugandan who gave up fishing to become a palm oil farmer; and a Tanzanian gold miner using mercury with his bare hands to extract the precious mineral from unregulated mines on the lake's shores. But how well do they comprehend the pressure that they’re putting on the lake, and can the regional governments and communities take action before irreversible damage happens? Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.

Cinema Verde presents an interview with Sasha Chudacoff about her "Life: Plastic Wrapped". It was filmed and edited during 2020 Quarantine. Did you know plastics are making a HUGE comeback due to COVID-19? The increase of plastic production and waste has been directly affected by this global pandemic. The poem, "I am a head in a plastic bag (for Sasha)" was written by collaborator Haley White in relation to my obsession with our plastic problem. Taking ownership of my own participation in our plastic world and climate catastrophe has allowed me to contemplate these issues on a deeper level. Our full catalog of video interviews and streaming films is available to members at cinemaverde.org.