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 on 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 and invitation.
Click here to see the film.
Related
Introducing the SEC's Eightfold Path of Environmental Action
Right Understanding: Knowing the facts about climate change
Right Thought: How we think about the natural world
Right Speech: Effective environmental communications
Right Action: Making smaller footprints
Right Works: Efforts that benefit the planet
Right Effort: Choosing a cause
Right Concentration: Staying focused on creation
Right Mindfulness: Managing ecological stress
