VIFF ‘07: Climate for Change: Garbage Warrior

As a natural builder, I was excited to know that the Film Fest included a doc about building unconventional houses. I must admit that I was disappointed to see the film start with shots of cars and motorbikes zooming around: why is it so rare for an “environmentalist” to see the contradiction in using fossil fuels to get around?

Once the film dug in and started showing Mike Reynolds and company’s work, some of it over 20 years old, it quickly became inspiring. The fact that someone was experimenting 30 years ago with housing that, once built, cost nothing, and while built, cost very little, is incredible for this part of the world. Many indigenous cultures outside of urban areas still live this way, but the construction and utility industries in the western world are so powerfully rich that folks like Mike simply get snuffed out fast.

The film gets dramatic when it examines a decade long stretch where Taos County and New Mexico State actually did try to destroy these innovators. But thankfully they have survived and their ingenuity may help us survive as a species on this planet.

Most of the desert-focussed design is not applicable to our rainforest world here, but the concepts and overall desires that they are trying to achieve (sustainable, self-contained housing meaning no energy or water utilities, no sewage, and food production) are applicable anywhere and seeing these being achieved to any degree is both inspiring and a testament to these people’s creativity and strength of desire.

Screenings:
Friday, Oct 5th, @ 7:00pm: Ridge Theatre
Sunday, Oct 7th, @ 11:30am: Empire Granville 7 Theatre 3