By Richard Matthews, the chair of the diocesan Stewardship of the Environment Committee as published in the Anglican Montreal
The Stewardship of the Environment Committee (SEC) in the
Anglican Diocese of Montreal is pleased to announce the launch of its short
film
The Seed. This six-and-a-half-minute film takes us on an
allegorical journey through a fallen world. The film reflects the serious
reality of the climate crisis and environmental degradation without succumbing
to futility or despair.
This simple yet authentic parable was produced by NorthSky
Films and directed by Sundance Ignite Fellow, Aziz Zoromba, who has produced and
directed award-winning films that have screened at TIFF, SXSW, IDFA, Festival
du Nouveau Cinema, RIDM, and more. The Seed was narrated by voiceover
artists Ruth Capri and Lileina Joy, whose commercial work was recently
nominated for an Emmy. The film's editor and co-producer, Ashley Gilmour, was
nominated for a Canadian Screen Award and is a fellow of the Doc Accelerator
Program at Hot Docs, as well as an upcoming resident at the Canadian Film
Centre. The colourist and co-producer, Max Machado, was the recipient of the
Jean-François Bourassa Memorial Award and was nominated for a Canadian Society
of Cinematographers Award. The writer, Alexander MacKenzie, has likewise worked
on award-winning narrative films, documentaries, and music videos. Richard Matthews
is the film's executive producer, and he is a sustainability advocate and the
chair of the SEC. He collaborated on the film The Search for Greta Thunberg.
The making of The Seed has not been without
challenges. After months of
consultations, developing the concept, writing and re-writing the script, the
coronavirus hit - halting production and forcing us to reimagine the film. However, we believe these difficulties
fostered creativity and benefited the film.
We also believe that this film is particularly relevant
today, not despite the pandemic but because of it. As Primate Linda Nichols
said, we "absolutely" should continue to advocate for climate action
in the era of COVID-19. She went on to say that our response to this virus has
revealed that we can reduce climate change causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Our film is buoyed by the growing realization that the coronavirus can be an
inflection point and perhaps even help to augur a much-needed paradigm shift.
This film is a call to action and a reflection of the fact
that faith communities are increasingly assuming leadership roles. Recently,
the Church of England committed to net zero carbon emissions and Canadian
Anglicans passed a resolution that called for climate action from both the
church and government. Anglican churches in the Canadian north are on the front
lines of the fight against climate change as their way of life is being
destroyed by rising temperatures. As home to the world's largest ever climate
march, this crisis also resonates with people in Montreal.
Faith groups have both a moral responsibility and an
opportunity to be relevant in an increasingly secular world. As explained by
the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, "In an age of growing cynicism
about the role of religion in our society, the credibility of our faith
communities as moral agents may increasingly rest on our collective response to
the unfolding climate crisis. " As its ethical and spiritual implications
become more obvious, climate change is increasingly taking its place as a
central concern of communities of faith.
It is our hope that the accessible narrative in our film
will resonate with a broad swath of people, who share a common interest in
environmental stewardship. We made this film to appeal to people of faith and
secular society because we believe that in a world rife with divisions the love
of creation can bring us all together. We also made this film in support of
environmental and climate justice which is intimately connected to a host of
social justice issues including LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous rights and the Black
Lives Matter movement.
Our film is a call to protect biodiversity and human
civilization from the ravages of climate change and environmental
degradation. We know what must be done,
now we must do it. The urgency of these crises calls us to radically reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. However, the window of opportunity to act is closing,
so the urgency of this situation cannot be overstated.
We do not have the time to incrementally address the crisis
nor is individual action enough on its own. As Primate Nicholls said, we must
do more than advocate for lifestyle changes. She also calls us to reflect on
market idolatry, saying "we failed to notice when that stewardship had
been subverted by economic forces, human greed and an attitude of complacency.
We answered God’s very first call to us with neglect, disregard and
denial". As explained in a statement by the World Council of Churches
(WCC) Executive Committee , "The time for debate and disputation of
established scientific facts is long over...We will all be held to account for
our inaction and our disastrous stewardship of this precious and unique
planet". Our film reflects the understanding that our failure to act makes
us complicit.
Faith leaders can leverage the ethical dimension of the
discussion, amplify the call to action and press political leaders to act. It
starts by telling the truth. The World Council of Churches issued a Pentecost
message that reads as follows: "To prophesy is to tell the truth".
Theologian Stanley Hauerwas challenges the church to be a counterpoint to
mendacity. In a post-truth world, Stanley said, "perhaps the Church can
become known as the community that tells the truth".
Religious leaders around the world have declared climate
emergencies and we encourage Bishop Mary to join them. The most important thing
we can do to reduce emissions is to move away from fossil fuels. In the
Anglican Diocese of Montreal this means acting on the 2015 divestment motion
and prioritizing climate action.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, our film concludes
with a welcoming and hopeful invitation.
