Directed by Tova Krentzman | 47’ | Canada
PERSPECTIVE ALBERTA
Perched in the Rocky Mountains above empty expanses across northern Canada, fire tower “lookouts” all experience the rush of spotting smoke and pre-empting evacuations. They all take pride in protecting the land and its people. They have all been struck by lightning. For more than a century, lookouts have been the dedicated “eyes in the sky”, a critical first-line of defense. But today, despite an unprecedented number of wildfires, there are only four Canadian provinces that continue to employ human radar. How can humans compete with technology? Because the best way to stop a fire is to spot it early – and lookouts are still critical anchors in our fire safety networks. In FIRE TOWER, meet the people behind the binoculars.
Preceded by the Short Films:
WAY OF THE SHEPHERD – Directed by Matthew Boyd | 9’ | United States
Peruvian shepherd, Christian Aliaga works the hillsides of northern California with a massive herd of goats and two exceptional Border Collies. Together they roam the land conducting wildfire mitigation with their old-world, natural approach to vegetation management.
MYRNA KOSTASH: HERE – Directed by Kalyna Somchynsky | 21’ | Canada
Myrna Kostash boasts a remarkable career as a writer firmly rooted in Edmonton, even when her research has taken her overseas to Greece, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and beyond. This short film celebrates Myrna’s extensive career and her dedication to exploring the complex relationships that shape our identities and the places we call home.
Q&A following the screening.
