Armed by Nature screened in the land of Samurai
10 March 2008
 TVE Asia Pacific’s documentary film on the state of Asia’s coastal ecosystems and community efforts to conserve them was screened as one of the top 12 films at the recently concluded 16th Earth Vision Global Environmental Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan.
Titled The Greenbelt Reports: Armed by Nature, the half hour documentary is part of a multi-media, multi-country educational project named The Greenbelt Reports. It investigates challenges in conserving Asia’s coastal greenbelts – coral reefs, mangroves and sand dunes – that offer protection from sea-based disasters, buffering against climate change impact and economic benefits to coastal communities.
Using a dozen case studies filmed in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, The Greenbelt Reports shows that the only way to save Asia’s remaining coastal greenbelts is by balancing ecosystem conservation with the economic needs of local people.
Since it was launched in 1992 to mark the Earth Summit, the Earth Vision festival has been showcasing the best of environmental films in the Asia Pacific. This year’s festival drew a total of 179 entries from 33 countries. These were entered in two categories: environmental films (general) and environmental films for children.
The film festival was held from 7 to 9 March 2008 at the Yotsuya Kumin Hall in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The top 12 films in the environmental film category and top nine films in the children’s category were screened to an eager and interactive audience.
The Greenbelt Reports: Armed by Nature had its screening on 8 March 2008 at 6 pm. Manori Wijesekera, Regional Programme Manager of TVEAP and overall producer of the film, represented the production team which was drawn from four Asian countries where it was filmed over several months in 2006.
"This film was TVEAP’s attempt to focus on the positive efforts of individuals, communities and local organisations to conserve and yet sustainably use their coastal ecosystems," she said, introducing the film to an audience of several hundred people.
She added: “We wanted to go beyond the doom and gloom. We all know that Asia’s coastal ecosystems are under unbearable pressures and under threat of disappearing forever. We also know the impacts of this damage and destruction."
Manori traced the origins of The Greenbelt Reports to the Asian Tsunami of December 2004. "After the Asian Tsunami, we began to hear stories from across Asia about communities who were saved or spared from the damaging impacts of the tidal waves because of the healthy coral reefs, sand dunes or mangroves near their homes. These natural ecosystems had provided a life-saving buffer."
Digging deeper, TVEAP journalists found many inspiring stories of communities, scientists and ordinary men and women who had been working in these areas to actively protect their local ecosystems.
"So we wanted to profile their work, and we hope that these stories will inspire others to take action too,” she said.
After the screening, Manori joined a live discussion with Suzuki Toshiaki, director of Resume of a Shrimp: the Breeder and the Consumer, to discuss issues relating to mangrove forest destruction and how to involve communities in conservation. She shared TVEAP’s approach to the distribution of films and the many outreach activities that can be associated with a film, leading to awareness and hopefully, positive action on the issue.
"To us at TVE Asia Pacific, producing a film is only half the job done. We invest time, efforts and funds in distributing our films far and wide, giving it away without license fee," she said.
Audience questions sought more information about the film’s impact and about the communities and individuals featured in the films. Some audience members left brief notes of appreciation on a special feedback board arranged by the festival organisers (see box).
The festival jury awarded the Earth Vision Grand Prize to an ABC (Australia) production, Crude: The Incredible Journey of Oil and the Children Earth Vision Grand Prize to A Son of Taiga, produced by Barbara Etz Film producktion in Germany.
This year's jury was chaired by Maezawa Tetsuji of Japan, and comprised Jiang Jinru (Environmental Project Coordinator from China) and Anne McDonald (Rural Society Field Worker from Canada).
In his address during the prize ceremony, the jury chair made special mention of Armed by Nature, commending it as an excellent educational film.
The Earth Vision festival is organised by the Earth Vision Organisation comprising several media, science and research and environmental education groups. It is supported by many public institutions and private companies that have a high awareness of environmental issues.
Messages on a Board
 An eager and interested audience at the Earth Vision Film Festival wanted to know more about the film after its screening. Some audience members also left brief notes of appreciation on a special feedback board arranged by the festival organisers. English translations courtesy festival secretariat:
Orange Note: I used to believe that only modern technology and science could help, but through your film I realised how the natural ecosystem itself – such as mangroves and roots – could help to reduce tsunami power and destruction to coastal people. It was a very good film and I started to understand how natural ecosystems protect people.
Yellow Note: I was shocked by your film and the talk. I thought tsunami and its impacts was natural disaster entirely, not one made by man. But I realise that more destruction was due to the changes to the ecosystem, the mangrove, sand hills and coral reefs. Thank you for showing how these three will help reduce destruction.
Green Note: People keep forgetting so easily, even the massive attack of Tsunami. It was good to know that people started to realise the significance of trees. I hope this campaign moves forward.
Blue Note: Your film shows us the excellent efforts of the balance of nature, how it is important to people. So I appreciate very much how your film has taught me this important fact. |
Related links:
February 2008: Armed by Nature selected for Earth Vision Film Festival in Tokyo
December 2006: Armed by Nature: New documentary looks at the Tsunami's environmental lessons
December 2006: TVE Asia Pacific releases The Greenbelt Reports
A Year After the Tsunami: Have We Learned the Lessons?
Nalaka Gunawardene’s article in Islam Online Science and Technology Section
The Asian Tsunami’s Powerful Lessons: We ignore them at our peril
Nalaka Gunawardene’s essay in Green Cross International’s The Optimist magazine
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