Films are often considered an escape — a way for people to ditch their everyday world and transport into another. The Eugene Environmental Film Festival proved that the power of film extends far beyond fiction. They are visual portals into the most pressing issues of our time and their consequences for our future. From exposing the truth behind the Bolivian water crisis to emphasizing the significance of whale conservation, EEFF urges for change.
Organized by Festival Director Ana McAbee, the festival returned to the cozy Art House theater in downtown Eugene for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10-day event featured a whopping 47 documentaries focusing on a plethora of environmental justice issues. Beyond the screen, the festival coordinated a week of action, bringing together community members to participate in workshops, panels, discussions and work parties.
Surrounded by dense forests, a rugged coastline and towering volcanoes, Eugene is a fitting location for an environmental film festival. While its mission to educate and inspire considers issues around the globe, EEFF is wholly committed to the city — a community that prides itself on its progressive values and active participation in environmental issues. By bringing together students, filmmakers and other community members, the festival encourages unity and empowers the voice of youth.
I had the opportunity to view a handful of the documentaries presented at the festival. The first was an eye-opening story about the catastrophic effects of corporate greed and mindless interference with the natural environment. Directed by Julia Blagny, “Be Water – Andes to Amazonia” takes us to Bolivia, detailing the events, policies and scientific processes that resulted in a devastating water war. Through extensive mining and government negligence, toxic chemicals flowed into the water source of millions of Bolivians. After adding on the privatization of water in Cochabamba — one of the country’s largest cities — the population started to fight back, and a series of protests erupted. The powerful, gut-punching imagery intertwined with a series of beautiful, hand-painted time lapses mixes information with art seamlessly. Despite its low budget, the documentary etched itself into my mind.
The jaw-dropping documentary “The Witness is a Whale” hails from Nick and Cheryl Dean. The filmmaking couple, who have been together for over 30 years, spent five years capturing hours of miraculous underwater footage. Their stunning worldwide voyage exposes the heartbreaking history of illegal whale hunting and its damaging effects from the ocean floor to the surface. While thoroughly entertaining, the film frustrated me — it made me want to do something.
Their production company, Spindrift Images, embodies the mission of the festival: to protect the health of the global environment and biodiversity through film. “Film is massively powerful,” Nick Dean said. “[It] opens a window on worlds people otherwise wouldn’t be aware of.”
Films tell emotional, profoundly impactful stories rather than simply reciting facts. They spark a change of attitude in the audience that can extend to policies and laws. The filmmakers expressed their intentions to inspire individuals of all generations, but recognized the significance of youth in environmental issues.
“[If] parents see the kids really getting excited about any kind of environmental issues, they might educate themselves,” Cheryl Dean said. “And they have the power to vote.”
If you love film or are interested in environmental justice in any capacity, check out EEFF in the coming years. It’s a welcoming atmosphere with a focused and powerful message to the Eugene community. I had a fantastic experience.
