Solastalgia on Gem
Award-winning short film humanizes the issue of climate change and ecological collapse
The new short, lyrical film, Solastalgia, from P.E.I. director Millefiore Clarkes and poet Tanya Davis premiered online on CBC’s GEM streaming platform as part of a curated series of environmental films for Earth Day 2020.
It has been nominated for the best fiction short award at the Yorkton Film Festival and will be screening online at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival this month.
The word, solastalgia, is a neologism that describes a form of mental or existential distress caused by environmental change, coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht.
The film explores the inner turmoil that news of ecological collapse can impart upon the human psyche, while simultaneously celebrating the earth as an interconnected organism.
It weaves the poetry of Davis, who is based in Halifax, together with a dramatic storyline, archival footage and a rich soundscape created by sound artist Simon White. The film’s soundtrack incorporates music by Philip Glass,
Devon Ross and Russell Louder.
Actor Rebecca Parent plays Ava, a mother of two young children, who navigates her day while being bombarded by the catastrophic news of the effects of climate change. Her mental health unwinds as she searches for a way to move forward through despair.
The aim of this film is to reach people on an intimate, poetic and emotional level. It humanizes the issue of climate change and ecological collapse in a way that people of all strips can hopefully relate to, thus opening consideration, connection and dialogue across borders.
“In this time of social isolation and COVIDrelated crisis, the climate crisis is no less urgent, maybe more so,” says Clarkes.
“We have an opportunity while we are forced to reduce our incessant busyness – to consider what we want life to look like when we emerge from isolation.”
Clarkes says there are studies that indicate similar epidemics may become more frequent due to the current strain on the planet’s ecosystems. With a loss of biodiversity, comes a loss of resilience and sustainability, and the COVID crisis is an opportunity to recognize how interconnected people are to one another and to the planet.
“Humanity is vulnerable, and so we must create new and resilient systems that act in harmony with nature. In many ways, this crisis can be an opportunity to change our systems of consumption and destruction that are ravaging our planet. It can be viewed as a wake-up call.”
Solastalgia has screened at festivals across Canada, including the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Atlantic International Film Festival. It received the best short film award at Silverwave Film Festival and has been selected to participate in more festivals internationally this year. Solastalgia was produced through the Film4Ward program which is funded by the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture through Innovation P.E.I. and the Culture Action Plan, with additional funding provided by Telefilm Canada and CBC and led by FilmPEI.