P.O. V.’s award-winning documentary The Chances of the World Changing opens Bethlehem Public Library’s environmental film series on Thursday April 8 at 7pm.Filmmakers Eric Daniel Metzgar and Nell Carden Grey followed Richard Ogust, who dedicated fifteen years to rescuing and harboring endangered turtles bound for Southeast Asian food markets. When the filmmakers catch up with the 50-year-old writer, he is sharing his Manhattan loft with 1,200 turtles, including five species extinct in the wild. But his growing "ark" and preservation efforts are threatening to exhaust him, both mentally and financially.
With luminous images and a haunting musical score, the film documents two years in the life of a man who finds himself struggling to save hundreds of lives, including his own.
This event is a collaboration with P.O. V., the award-winning nonfiction film series from PBS. Find out more at www.pbs.org/pov.
The April 8 screening is preceded at 6pm with “Live Turtles,” a half-hour program for families about local efforts to rescue and rehabilitate turtles. Presenter Dee Strnisa is a Five Rivers water education specialist who has been rescuing and rehabilitating reptiles and amphibians for over twenty years. She will bring several live specimens, and answer questions at the end of her talk.
The film series continues on Saturday April 10 at 1pm with Eating Alaska, a documentary by Ellen Frankenstein about balancing processed and locally grown foods.
At 2pm, Mariah Dahl of Honest Weight Food Co-op talks about eating locally and sustainably.
A screening of Food, Inc. follows at 3pm. Nominated for a 2010 Academy Award, this documentary by Robert Kenner focuses on the industry that underlies the nation’s food supply.
The series honors the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. All events are free and open to the public.
For more information visit: http://www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/
